Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

Meletius IV (Metaxakis) of Constantinople

1,276 bytes added, 01:41, March 17, 2012
m
cat.
[[Image:350px-Meletius-metaxakisMeletios Metaxakis.jpg|thumb|Meletius during a visit to New York in 1921 as the exiled Archbishop of Athens]] His All-Holiness '''Patriarch MeletiusIV''' (Greek: Μελέτιος Δ'), born '''Emmanuel Metaxakis''' (Greek: Εμμανουήλ Μεταξάκης), was the 261st successor to the [[Apostle Andrew]] and [[Patriarch of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople]] from 1921 to 1923. Afterward, as Meletius II, he also served as [[Patriarch of Alexandria|Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa]] from 1926 to 1935. Before he became Ecumenical Patriarch, he was Archbishop of Athens from 1918 to 1920 as Meletius III.
His All-Holiness '''Patriarch Meletius IV''' (Greek: Μελέτιος Δ' Μεταξάκης)==Early life==He was born on [[September 21]], born '''Emmanuel Metaxakis''' (Greek: Μεταξάκης)1871, was in the village of Parsas on the 261st Successor to island of Crete. He entered the [[Apostle AndrewSeminary of the Holy Cross]]in [[Jerusalem] ] in 1889. He was [[tonsure]]d with the name ''Meletius'' and [[Patriarch of Constantinopleordination|Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinopleordained]] a [[hierodeacon]] from 1921-1923in 1892. He also served completed the theological courses at Holy Cross and was assigned as a Successor secretary to the [[Apostle MarkHoly Synod]] as in Jerusalem by Patriarch [[List of Patriarchs Damianus of AlexandriaJerusalem|Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all AfricaDamianus]] from 1926-1935in 1900.
Meletius was evicted from the Holy Land by Patriarch Damianus, along with the then-administrator [[Chrysostomos II (Hadjistavrou) of Athens|Chrysostomos]], later [[Archbishop of Athens]], in 1908 for "activity against the Holy Sepulchre." Meletius Metaxakis was then elected [[Metropolitan]] of Kition in Cyprus in 1910. In the years before the war, Metr. Meletius began successful talks in New York with representatives of the [[Episcopal Church of America]], with the intention of "expanding relations between the two Churches."
== Early Life ==After the death of Patriarch [[Joachim III of Constantinople|Joachim III]] on [[June 13]], 1912, Meletius was nominated as a candidate for the Patriarchal Throne in [[Church of Constantinople|Constantinople]]. However, the Holy Synod decided that Meletius could not [[canon law|canonically]] be registered as a candidate. Instead, he would continue in his [[metropolis]] until 1918 when, with the support of his political allies, he was elevated to the position of [[Archbishop]] of Athens in 1918. This would be a temporary measure, for after a series of political changes in Greece, he was later deprived of his [[see]].
He was born on September 21==Archbishop of Athens==A staunch supporter of Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, 1871 in his fortunes were linked with those of the village Venizelists. The expulsion of Parsas on the island King Constantine in 1917 allowed Meletius' installation as Archbishop of Crete. He entered Athens, but the [[Seminary 1920 electoral defeat of Venizelos allowed the Holy Cross]] in [[Jerusalem]] in 1889. He was tonsured with the name king's return and Meletius and [[ordination|ordained]] a ' [[hierodeacondeposition]] in 1892. He completed the theological courses at Holy Cross and His replacement as Archbishop was assigned as secretary to the Royalist Archbishop [[Holy Synod]] in Jerusalem by [[Damianos Theoklitos I of JerusalemAthens|Patriarch DamianosTheocletos]] in 1900, the man whom he had displaced two years previously.
Meletius was evicted from the Holy Land by Patriarch DamianosDuring his tenure as Archbishop, along with he tried to apply order to the then administrator Chrysostomos, later patchwork of independent "trustee" Greek [[Archbishop of Athensparish]] es in America by applying a 1908 for "activity against Patriarchal decree that gave episcopal oversight of the Americas to the Holy Sepulcher." Meletius Metaxakis was then elected [[Metropolitan Church of KitionGreece]] , and even visited America in 1910. In the years before the war Metropolitan Meletius began successful talks in New York with representatives summer of 1918 to survey the situation. Upon his return to Greece three months later, he appointed Bishop [[Episcopal Church Alexander (Demoglou) of Rodostolou|Alexander of AmericaRodostolou]], with as his resident American legate. Alexander was delegated the intention unenviable task of "expanding relations between initiating canonical order among the two Churchesindependent Greek parishes throughout North America."
After While Archbishop he also journeyed to England where he conducted talks concerning the union between the death of [[Joachim III of ConstantinopleAnglican Communion|Patriarch Joachim IIIAnglicans]] on June 13, 1912, Meletius was nominated as a candidate for the Patriarchal Throne in [[Constantinople]]. However, the Holy Synod decided that Meletius could not canonically be registered as a candidate. Instead, he would serve as a [[bishop]] in [[Cyprus]] until 1918 when, with the support of his political allies and acquaintances, he was uncanonically elevated to the position of Archbishop of Athens in 1918. This would be a termporary measure, for after a series of political changes he was later deprived of his seeOrthodox Church.
== Archbishop Following his deposition, Meletius, like so many other political refugees, fled to the United States in February 1921. Still recognized as the legitimate head of Athens ==the Church of Greece by his American legate, Bishop Alexander, Meletius presided over the organization of some Greek parishes in North America into a formal [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|"Greek Archdiocese"]] on [[September 15]], 1921. In effect, this was the first step towards the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, which was incorporated in 1921, and officially recognized by the State of New York in 1922.
Metaxakis was one ==Patriarchate==In another twist of fate, the most fascinating characters in Orthodox church historyexiled Meletius was elected Ecumenical Patriarch two months later on [[November 27]], 1921. He was the only man successively not about to lead four autocephalous (independent) Orthodox Churches: those give up his American creation, however, and in one of his first acts as [[Church of Cyprus|Cypruspatriarch]], he repealed the 1908 Tomos on [[Church of Greece|GreeceMarch 1]], [[Church 1922. This effectively transferred jurisdiction of Constantinople|Constantinople]]the new Greek Archdiocese from himself, and [[Church as Archbishop of Alexandria|Alexandria]]Athens, to himself, as Ecumenical Patriarch. On the basis of His justification for this move was a 1908 decree reference to Canon 28 of the 451 [[Ecumenical PatriarchCouncil of Chalcedon]] that , which he claimed granted the independent Ecumenical Patriarchate jurisdiction over Orthodox Christians in all "trusteebarbarian lands." Greek parishes in America should receive episcopal oversight from This was formalized on [[May 11]], 1922, when Meletios declared the Church of Greece, Metaxakis journeyed to America in as an Archdiocese and appointing the summer of 1918 to survey the situationRt. Rev. Three months later he returned to Greece and appointed Alexander Titular [[Bishop Alexander of Rodostolou]] of Rodostolon, as his resident American legate. Alexander was charged with the unenviable task of initiating canonical order among the independent Greek parishes throughout North AmericaPatriarchal [[Exarch]].
In Unfortunately, the hopes of the immigrant Greek elections community that their long canonical disorder in America would be settled was not realized. The royalists in Greece rejected both the creation and subsequent separation of 1920a "Venizelist" Archdiocese in America. Metropolitan [[Germanos (Troianos) of Monemvasia and Lacedaemonos|Germanos (Troianos)]], howevera royalist partisan, Venizelos was defeated. The king returned sent from Greece to power, and Metaxakis was deposed as Archbishop challenge Alexander for control of Athensthe new archdiocese. His place was taken, Spurred on December 10, 1920, by the rightful canonical candidatetwo New York Greek language dailies, Theocletos, who had previously been deposed as Archbishop. While Meletius was still Archbishop of Athensthe Royalist ''Atlantis'', he along with a group of like-minded persons visited England where he conducted talks concerning the union between the Anglicans and the Orthodox Church. Like so many other political refugeesVenizelist ''National Herald'', Metaxakis fled to the United States fledgling Greek Archdiocese rapidly disintegrated into violently opposed factions. It would remain bitterly divided for almost a decade (February, 19211922-1931). Still recognized as until the legitimate head moderating influence of the Church of Greece by his American legate, Bishop Alexander, Metaxakis presided over the organization future Patriarch [[Athenagoras I (Spyrou) of some Greek parishes in North America into a formal "Greek Archdiocese" on September 15, 1921Constantinople|Athenagoras]].
== Patriarchate Ecumenism and Anglican outreach ==His entreaties to the [[Anglican Communion|Anglican Church]] courted controversy within Orthodoxy . On [[December 17]], 1921, the Greek Ambassador in Washington sent a message to the prefect at Thessaloniki stating that Meletius "vested, took part in America ==an Anglican service, knelt in prayer with Anglicans, venerated their Holy Table, gave a sermon, and later blessed those present."
In yet another surprising reversal of fortuneUnder pressure from Meletius, the exiled Metaxakis was elected Ecumenical Patriarch only two months later (November 27, 1921). Meletius, however, was not about to give up his American creation. In one Patriarchate of his first acts as patriarch, Metaxakis repealed Constantinople accepted the 1908 Tomosvalidity of Anglican orders in 1922—an act against which even Rome protested. Then, in effect transferring jurisdiction of 1923, Meletius initiated the new Greek Archdiocese from himself "Pan-Orthodox" Congress (as Archbishop of Athens[[May 10]]–[[June 8]]) to himself (as . On [[June 1]], [[clergy]] and [[lay]]men who were dissatisfied with the Ecumenical innovating Patriarch). Metaxakis justified held a meeting which ended in an attack on the move by reference to canon 28 of [[Phanar]] with the Council goal of Chalcedon (AD 451), which he claimed granted the Ecumenical Patriarchate jurisdiction over Orthodox Christians in all "barbarian lands." Metaxakis appointed his old friend Bishop Alexander to lead the new archdiocesedeposing Meletius and expelling him from Constantinople.
==Retirement==On December 17[[July 1]], 19211923, on the Greek Ambassador in Washington sent a message to pretext of illness and the prefect at Thessaloniki stating that need for medical treatment, Meletius "vestedleft Constantinople. On [[September 20]], took part in an Anglican service1923, under pressure from the Greek government and through the intervention of [[Chrysostomos I (Papadopoulos) of Athens]], knelt Meletius retired as patriarch. This coincided with the failure of the Greek expedition in prayer with AnglicansAsia Minor, venerated their Holy Table, gave and may have also played a sermon, and later blessed those presentrole."
In effect==Later life==After his retirement from the Constantinople Patriarchate, this he was the first step towards the establishment elected Pope and Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Alexandria and All Africa and was [[enthronement|enthroned]] as Meletius II of North Alexandria on [[May 20]], 1926. He served until his death on [[July 28]], 1935, and South America, which was incorporated buried in 1921Cairo, and officially recognized by the State of New York in 1922Egypt.
Unfortunately, According to a listing of famous Greek Freemasons on the hopes official website of the immigrant Greek community that their long canonical disorder in America would be settled were not realized. The royalists in Grand Lodge of Greece rejected both the creation and subsequent separation of a "Venizelist" Archdiocese in America. Metropolitan Germanos {{ref|1}} (Troianos''Megali Stoas Tis Ellados''), Meletius Metaxakis is listed as a royalist partisan, was sent from Greece to challenge Alexander for control of Freemason in the new archdiocese. Spurred on by the two New York Greek language dailies, the royalist Atlantis, and the Venizelist National Herald, the fledgling Greek Archdiocese rapidly disintegrated into violently opposed factions. It would remain bitterly divided for almost a decade Lodge: "ΑΡΜΟΝΙΑ" (1922-1931HARMONY).:
When Meletius was elected Ecumenical Patriarch Meletius IV in November, 1921, one of his first official decrees on March 1st of that year was to restore the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to the Ecumenical Patriarchate*"Μελέτιος Β' (Εμμ. Μεταξάκης) - Αλεξανδρείας και Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης - ΑΡΜΟΝΙΑ"::(transl. This was formalized on May 11, 1922 when Patriarch ''Meletios declared the Church of America as an Archdiocese appointing the Rt. Rev. Alexander Titular Bishop of Rodostolon , as his Patriarchal ExarchII (E.Metaxakis) - Alexandria and Ecumenical Patriarch - HARMONY'')
Under pressure from Meletius, the Patriarchate Metaxakis was one of Constantinople accepted the validity of Anglican orders most fascinating characters in 1922 — an act which even Rome protested againstOrthodox church history. Then, in 1923, Meletius initiated He was the "Pan-Orthodox" Congress only man successively to lead three [[autocephaly|autocephalous]] (May 10–June 8independent). On June 1st, clergy and laymen dissatisfied with the innovating Patriarch held a meeting which ended in an attack on the Phanar with the goal Orthodox Churches: those of [[Church of deposing Meletius and expelling him from Constantinople. On July 1Greece|Greece]], 1923, on the pretext [[Church of illness and the need for medical treatment, Meletius left Constantinople. On September 20, 1923, under pressure from the Greek government and through the intervention of Archbishop Chrysostomos of Athens, Meletius retired as Patriarch. == End of Life == After his retirement from the |Constantinople Patriarchate]], he was elected Pope and Patriarch [[Church of Alexandria |Alexandria]]; and All Africa to rule a [[diocese]] in 1926. He served until his death on July 28another, 1935, and was buried in Cairo, Egypt.  --- A known supporter that of [[Church of Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, he served as Bishop in Cyprus, until he was elected Archbishop of Athens following King Constantine I's abdication, replacing Archbishop Theocletus I, a known Royalist. Two years later King Constantine I was restored to the throne, Archbishop Meletius was ousted, and former Archbishop Theocletus I was reinstated. In 1921 he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch. He resigned in 1923 following the defeat of the Greek Army in Asia Minor|Cyprus]].
==Sources==
*[[w:Patriarch Meletius IV of Constantinople|''Patriarch Meletius IV of Constantinople'' at Wikipedia]]*[[w: el:Μελέτιος Μεταξάκης|''Μελέτιος Μεταξάκης'' at Wikipedia (Greek)]]*[http://enwiki.wikipediaphantis.orgcom/wikiindex.php/Patriarch_Meletius_IV_of_ConstantinopleMeletius_Metaxakis ''Meletius Metaxakis'' at PhantisWikiPhantisWiki: *[http://wikirulers.phantis.comorg/indexrelig.php/Meletios_Metaxakishtml Religious leaders]
==Reference==
*{{note|1}} [http://www.grandlodge.gr/Famous_gr_home.html Επιφανείς Έλληνες Ελευθεροτέκτονες] (Greek)
{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=?|title=Metropolitan of Kition|years=1910-1918|after=?}}{{succession|before=[[TheoclitusTheocletus I (Minopoulos) of Athens|Theocletus I]]|title=[[Church List of GreeceArchbishops of Athens|Archbishop Metropolitan of Athensand All Greece]]|
years=1918-1920|
after=[[Theoclitus]]}}{{succession|before=creation of see|title=[[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America#Archbishops of America|Archbishop of America]]|years=1921-1921|after=[[Alexander (Demoglou)]]Theocletus I}}
{{succession|
before=[[Germanus V (Kavakopoulos) of ConstantinopleConstntinople|Germanus V]]|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]|
years=1921-1923|
after=[[Nicholas V of Alexandria|Nicholas V]]}}
{{end box}}
 
[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:20th-century bishops]]
[[Category:Archbishops of Athens]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Constantinople]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Alexandria]]
8,921
edits

Navigation menu