Maximus V (Greek: Μάξιμος Εʹ; 26 October 1897 – 1 January 1972) served as the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1946 until his resignation in 1948.[1]

Maximus V of Constantinople
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
ChurchChurch of Constantinople
In office20 February 1946 – 19 October 1948
PredecessorBenjamin I of Constantinople
SuccessorAthenagoras I of Constantinople
Personal details
Born26 October 1897
Died1 January 1972 (aged 74)
Switzerland

Biography

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He was born Maximos Vaportzis in northern Turkey, at Sinop in Kastamonu Vilayet, on the Black Sea coast. He was first educated, under the protection of metropolitan bishop Germanos of Amaseia, at the Theological School of Halki, Istanbul.

In 1918, he was ordained a deacon. With this appointment, he also became teacher at the city school of Theira. He served as arch-deacon under Metropolitans Gregorios of Chalcedon and Joachim of Ephesus. In 1920, he became the archdeacon to the Ecumenical Patriarchate itself.

In 1946, he became Patriarch of Constantinople. He was known for his 'leftist' opinions and ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. He resigned in 1948, officially because of poor health; unofficially because western powers did not approve his ties with the Soviet-controlled Patriarch of Moscow. He was succeeded by the archbishop of America, Athenagoras, and was given the title of Ephesus.

He died in Switzerland on January 1, 1972.

References

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  1. ^ "Μάξιμος Εʹ". ec-patr.org. Κατάλογος Οικουμενικών Πατριαρχών [List of Ecumenical Patriarchs] (in Greek). Office of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
Eastern Orthodox Church titles
Preceded by Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
1946–1948
Succeeded by