Meletius IV (Greek: Μελέτιος Μεταξάκης) was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1921 till 1923 and Greek Patriarch of Alexandria from 1926 till 1935 as Meletius II. He was the only Eastern Orthodox hierarch in history to serve successively as the senior bishop of three autocephalous churches (before his election to the Ecumenical Patriarchate he had briefly headed the Church of Greece in Athens).

A known supporter of Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, he served as Bishop in Cyprus, until he was elected Archbishop of Athens following the abdication of Constantine I of Greece, 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 Hellenic Army in the Greco-Turkish War.

Some years later he was elected Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria. He died in 1935.

[edit] See also

• List of Ecumenical Patriarchs of Constantinople
• List of Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Alexandria

[edit] External links

• His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Meletius IV of Constantinople

Preceded by Germanus V	Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople 1921–1923	Succeeded by Gregory VII
Preceded by Photius	Greek Patriarch of Alexandria 1926–1935	Succeeded by Nicholas V

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