Anthimus II of Constantinople

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Anthimus II
Adrianople

Anthimus II (Greek: Ἄνθιμος Β΄) was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople for a few months in 1623.

Life

Anthimus was born in

Adrianople.[1]

His short reign has to be considered in the context of the clash between the pro-

Gregory IV. The Metropolitans and the bishops were unsatisfied with Gregory IV because he had not been canonically elected by the Holy Synod. Thus, on 18 June 1623, the Holy Synod deposed Gregory IV and formally elected Anthimus II as Patriarch of Constantinople.[2]

Anthimus II, even if politically supported by the Catholic governments, remained a strong and good Orthodox.[3] He sent metropolitans to Rhodes, where Lucaris was temporarily exiled, to persuade him to retire to Mount Athos, but without success. On the contrary, Lucaris, thanks to the Calvinist Dutch ambassador, returned to Constantinople and produced false instruments of credit for 20,000 Livres on the Patriarchate.[3] Anthimus could not find such large amount and was forced to abdicate on 22 September 1623.[3] Subsequently, Lucaris returned on the patriarchal throne for the third time.

After his resignation, Anthimus retired on Mount Athos where he died in 1628.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ .
  2. ^ C. Emerau (1926). "Lucar Cyrille". Dictionnaire de Theologie Catholique. Vol. 9. Paris: Letouzey et Ané. 1005–6.
  3. ^ a b c R. Janin (1914). "Anthime II". Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques. Vol. 3. Paris: Letouzey et Ané. 532.