Meletius Metaxakis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meletius Metaxakis |
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Meletius as Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (1923)
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| Birth name | Emmanuel Metaxakis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 21 September 1871 Parsas, Ierapetra, Ottoman Crete |
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| Died | 28 July 1935 (aged 63) Alexandria, Kingdom of Egypt |
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Meletius (Greek: Μελέτιος), whose birth name was Emmanuel Metaxakis (Ἐμμανουήλ Μεταξάκης), was a very important leader in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He was born on September 21, 1871, and passed away on July 28, 1935. He holds a unique place in history because he was the senior bishop of three major independent churches one after another. He served as the head of the Church of Greece from 1918 to 1920. Later, he became the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1921 to 1923. Finally, he was the Greek Patriarch of Alexandria from 1926 to 1935.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Crete
Emmanuel Metaxakis was born in a village called Christos on the island of Crete. His father raised animals, and his mother's brother was a priest in their village. This early connection to the church likely influenced his path.
Studying for the Church
From 1889 to 1891, Emmanuel studied at the Patriarchal School of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. In 1891, he became the leader, or hegumen, of the Monastery of Bethlehem. He was also ordained as a deacon by Archbishop Spyridon of Mount Tabor, and this is when he took the name Meletius. He continued his studies at the Theological School in Jerusalem, graduating in 1893 with high honors.
Church Leadership and Reforms
Work in Jerusalem
In 1903, Meletius became the Chancellor of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. This meant he was in charge of many important tasks. He helped organize the church's printing office and started editing a church magazine called New Zion. He also opened new schools and improved existing ones. He worked to make sure graduates from the Theological School in Jerusalem received proper diplomas.
Meletius also faced challenges, like a Russian group that spread anti-Greek ideas. He founded a practical school in Jaffa and helped more academic books get published. In 1907, he represented the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in a meeting about issues with the Archbishop of Cyprus. His ideas helped solve the problem.
Leading in Cyprus
In 1910, Meletius was chosen to be the Metropolitan of Kition in the Church of Cyprus. Here, he helped create the official rules for the Church of Cyprus. He also started a church newspaper called Ekklesiastikos Kirix (Ecclesiastical Herald). He continued publishing this paper even when he moved to Athens and New York later on. He also established a seminary and a commercial high school in Cyprus.
In 1912-1913, he traveled to Athens. He worked with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They explored ways to raise money for areas that were returning to Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria. He also wrote reports about these changes. Meletius was careful to protect the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He believed it was important for the Greek people.
Serving Three Churches
Meletius had a truly unique career in the Orthodox Church. He was the only person to lead three different independent churches.
Archbishop of Athens
From 1918 to 1920, he served as the Metropolitan bishop of the Church of Greece in Athens. He was known as Meletius III during this time. He was a supporter of the Greek prime minister, Eleftherios Venizelos. He became Archbishop of Athens after King Constantine I of Greece stepped down. However, when King Constantine I returned to the throne, Meletius was removed from his position.
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
In 1921, during a difficult time for Constantinople, Meletius was elected Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. He was known as Meletius IV. He held this important role until 1923. He resigned after the Greek army faced defeat in the Greco-Turkish War.
Patriarch of Alexandria
Some years later, in 1926, Meletius was elected Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria. He served in this role as Meletius II until his death in 1935.
See also
In Spanish: Melecio IV Metaxakis para niños
