Paisius II of Constantinople (Greek:Παΐσιος Κιουμουρτζόγλου; died 11 December 1756) wasEcumenical Patriarch of Constantinople for four times in the 18th century.^[1]

Paisius was born inCaesarea and his family name wasKioumourtzoglou (a commonTurkish name amongKaramanlides and theCappadocian Greeks). He probably moved early toConstantinople and becameMetropolis of Nicomedia before 1716,^[2]: 186 probably in 1712.^[3]

The first time that Paisius was elected as Patriarch of Constantinople was on 20 November 1726, the day whenCallinicus III of Constantinople was found dead byheart attack before his enthronement, Paisius II was immediately chosen by the faction that previously elected Callinicus III to preclude a return to the throne ofJeremias III of Constantinople.^[2]: 47 The first years of his reign were marked by clashes with the faction gathered around the community of Caesarea, whose main representatives were Jeremias III and laterNeophytus VI of Constantinople, despite the fact that Paisius II himself was born in this town. In 1731 this faction tried to depose him and to restore Jeremias III, but failed. A second attempt in September 1732 was successful when Jeremias III overthrew him.^[3] When later Jeremias III had to retire due to health problems, a Patriarch from Nicomedia (Seraphim I of Constantinople) followed and later again one from Caesarea (Neophytus VI) who reigned six years.

The reign of Neophytus VI was ended by a decision of theGrand vizier, who allowed Paisius II to be reinstalled for his second term in August 1740. However three years later, in May 1743, Paisius II was deposed by theOttoman authorities for financial issues and Neophytus VI was restored.^[3]

The third reign of Paisius II began in March 1744, when he overthrew Neophytus VI. Shortly after however a new opponent arose: the Metropolis of Nicomedia and future PatriarchCyril V of Constantinople, who voiced the complaints against him and was able to depose him on 28 September 1748. The complaints were due mainly to Paisius II's financial management of themillet, i.e. the Christian civil community ruled by the Patriarch, to reduce the high levels of debts, Paisius II increased the taxation, particularly of thelaity, and this caused discontent with him.^[3]

Paisius II's fourth term was an interlude in the reign of Cyril V and began in last days of May 1751 when Cyril V was actually deposed by the Metropolitans both because of his regulations on taxes and because of his strong position in favor of the necessity of re-baptism ofArmenian andLatin converts. Cyril V however was supported by a large portion of the populace and by the demagogic monk Auxentius, who instigated riots which culminated in a violent assault on the Patriarchate and the seizure of Paisius II himself.^[4] Paisius II was subsequently deposed and Cyril V was reinstated on 7 September 1752 after a gift to the Ottoman authorities of 45,000piastres.^[5]: 166

After his fourth and final deposition, Paisius II retired in the monastery of Kamariotissa on island ofHalki, where he died on 11 December 1756.^[3]

• Frazee, Charles (2006) [1983].Catholics and Sultans - The Church and the Ottoman Empire 1453–1923.Cambridge University Press.ISBN 9780521027007.

• 17th-century births
• 1756 deaths
• 18th-century ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople
• Cappadocian Greeks
• 18th-century Greek people
• People from Kayseri

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