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Meletius IV (Metaxakis) of Constantinople

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[[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 island of Crete. He entered the 261st Successor to [[Seminary of the Holy Cross]] in [[Apostle AndrewJerusalem]] in 1889. He was [[tonsure]]d with the name ''Meletius'' and [[Patriarch of Constantinopleordination|Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinopleordained]] a [[hierodeacon]] from 1921-1923in 1892. Afterward, He completed the theological courses at Holy Cross and was assigned as Meletius II, he also served as XXXth Successor secretary to the [[Apostle MarkHoly Synod]] and 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 summer of 1918 to survey the warsituation. Upon his return to Greece three months later, Metropolitan Meletius began successful talks in New York with representatives of the 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.
A staunch support ==Patriarchate==In another twist of Greek Prime Minister fate, the exiled Meletius was elected Ecumenical Patriarch two months later on [[Eleftherios VenizelosNovember 27]], 1921. He was not about to give up his fortunes were linked with those American creation, however, and in one of his first acts as [[patriarch]], he repealed the 1908 Tomos on [[VenizelistsMarch 1]], 1922. The expulsion This effectively transferred jurisdiction of King Constantine in 1917 allowed Meletius installation the new Greek Archdiocese from himself, as Archbishop of Athens, but to himself, as Ecumenical Patriarch. His justification for this move was a reference to Canon 28 of the 1920 electoral defeat 451 [[Council of Venizelos allowed Chalcedon]], which he claimed granted the King's return and Meletius' depositionEcumenical Patriarchate jurisdiction over Orthodox Christians in all "barbarian lands. His replacement " This was formalized on [[May 11]], 1922, when Meletios declared the Church of America as Archbishop was an Archdiocese and appointing the Royalist Rt. Rev. Alexander Titular [[Archbishop Theocletos Bishop]] of Athens|TheocletosRodostolon, as his Patriarchal [[Exarch]], the man whom he had displaced two years previously.
During his tenure as ArchbishopUnfortunately, the hopes of the immigrant Greek 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 a "Venizelist" Archdiocese in America. Metropolitan [[Germanos (Troianos) of Monemvasia and Lacedaemonos|Germanos (Troianos)]], a royalist partisan, was sent from Greece to challenge Alexander for control of 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 (1922-1931) until the moderating influence of the future Patriarch [[Athenagoras I (Spyrou) of Constantinople|Athenagoras]].
Metaxakis was one of == Ecumenism and Anglican outreach ==His entreaties to the most fascinating characters in Orthodox church history. He was the only man successively to lead four autocephalous (independent) Orthodox Churches: those of [[Anglican Communion|Anglican Church of Cyprus|Cyprus]], courted controversy within Orthodoxy. On [[Church of Greece|GreeceDecember 17]], [[Church of Constantinople|Constantinople]]1921, and [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandria]]. On the basis of Greek Ambassador in Washington sent a 1908 decree of message to the [[Ecumenical Patriarch]] prefect at Thessaloniki stating that the independent Meletius "trustee" Greek parishes vested, took part in America should receive episcopal oversight from the Church of Greecean Anglican service, Metaxakis journeyed to America knelt in the summer of 1918 to survey the situation. Three months prayer with Anglicans, venerated their Holy Table, gave a sermon, and later he returned to Greece and appointed [[Bishop Alexander of Rodostolou]] as his resident American legate. Alexander was charged with the unenviable task of initiating canonical order among the independent Greek parishes throughout North Americablessed those present."
While Under pressure from Meletius was still Archbishop of Athens, he along with a group the Patriarchate of like-minded persons visited England where he conducted talks concerning Constantinople accepted the union between the Anglicans and the Orthodox Churchvalidity of Anglican orders in 1922—an act against which even Rome protested. Like so many other political refugeesThen, Metaxakis fled to in 1923, Meletius initiated the United States "Pan-Orthodox" Congress (February, 1921[[May 10]]–[[June 8]]). Still recognized as On [[June 1]], [[clergy]] and [[lay]]men who were dissatisfied with the legitimate head of innovating Patriarch held a meeting which ended in an attack on the Church of Greece by his American legate, Bishop Alexander, Metaxakis presided over [[Phanar]] with the organization goal of some Greek parishes in North America into a formal "Greek Archdiocese" on September 15, 1921deposing Meletius and expelling him from Constantinople.
== Patriarchate Retirement==On [[July 1]], 1923, on the pretext of illness and the need for medical treatment, Meletius left Constantinople. On [[September 20]], 1923, under pressure from the Greek government and Orthodoxy through the intervention of [[Chrysostomos I (Papadopoulos) of Athens]], Meletius retired as patriarch. This coincided with the failure of the Greek expedition in America ==Asia Minor, and may have also played a role.
In yet another surprising reversal of fortune==Later life==After his retirement from the Constantinople Patriarchate, the exiled Metaxakis he was elected Ecumenical Pope and Patriarch only two months later (November 27, 1921). of Alexandria and All Africa and was [[enthronement|enthroned]] as MeletiusII of Alexandria on [[May 20]], however, was not about to give up his American creation1926. In one of He served until his first acts as patriarchdeath on [[July 28]], Metaxakis repealed the 1908 Tomos1935, and was buried in effect transferring jurisdiction of the new Greek Archdiocese from himself (as Archbishop of Athens) to himself (as the Ecumenical Patriarch). Metaxakis justified the move by reference to canon 28 of the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451)Cairo, 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 archdioceseEgypt.
On December 17According to a listing of famous Greek Freemasons on the official website of the Grand Lodge of Greece{{ref|1}} (''Megali Stoas Tis Ellados''), 1921, the Greek Ambassador Meletius Metaxakis is listed as a Freemason in Washington sent a message to the prefect at Thessaloniki stating that Meletius Lodge: "vested, took part in an Anglican service, knelt in prayer with Anglicans, venerated their Holy Table, gave a sermon, and later blessed those present.ΑΡΜΟΝΙΑ"(HARMONY):
In effect, this was the first step towards the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North *"Μελέτιος Β' (Εμμ. Μεταξάκης) - Αλεξανδρείας και Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης - ΑΡΜΟΝΙΑ"::(transl. ''Meletios II (E. Metaxakis) - Alexandria and South America, which was incorporated in 1921, and officially recognized by the State of New York in 1922.Ecumenical Patriarch - HARMONY'')
Unfortunately, the hopes Metaxakis was one of the immigrant Greek community that their long canonical disorder most fascinating characters in America would be settled were not realizedOrthodox church history. The royalists in Greece rejected both He was the creation and subsequent separation of a "Venizelist" Archdiocese in America. Metropolitan Germanos (Troianos), a royalist partisan, was sent from Greece only man successively to challenge Alexander for control of 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 lead three [[autocephaly|autocephalous]] (1922-1931independent). When Meletius was elected Ecumenical Patriarch Meletius IV in November, 1921, one Orthodox Churches: those of his first official decrees on March 1st [[Church of that year was to restore the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This was formalized on May 11Greece|Greece]], 1922 when Patriarch Meletios declared the [[Church of America as an Archdiocese appointing the Rt. Rev. Alexander Titular Bishop of Rodostolon , as his Patriarchal Exarch. Under pressure from Meletius, the Patriarchate of Constantinople accepted the validity of Anglican orders in 1922 — an act which even Rome protested against. Then, in 1923, Meletius initiated the "Pan-Orthodox" Congress (May 10–June 8). 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 of deposing Meletius and expelling him from |Constantinople. On July 1, 1923]], on the pretext 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.  --- In 1921 he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch. He resigned in 1923 following the defeat that of [[Church of the Greek Army in Asia MinorCyprus|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)
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{{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|Greek Orthodox Primate 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|
[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:20th-century bishops]]
[[Category:Archbishops of Athens]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Constantinople]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Alexandria]]
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