Maximus IV of Constantinople | |
|---|---|
| Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople | |
| Church | Church of Constantinople |
| Appointed | Early 1491 |
| Term ended | Early 1497 |
| Predecessor | Dionysius I of Constantinople |
| Successor | Nephon II of Constantinople |
| Previous post | Metropolitan ofSerres |
| Personal details | |
| Denomination | Eastern Orthodoxy |
Maximus IV of Constantinople (Greek:Μάξιμος), previously known asManasses (Μανασσῆς), was an Orthodox Christian monk and bishop. He wasEcumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1491 to 1497.
He wasabbot of theVatopedi monastery onMount Athos before being appointed bySymeon I of Constantinople asMetropolitan bishop ofSerres, which he governed under thereligious name of Manasses.
In the first months of 1491, he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople with the support of the monks of Mount Athos.[1]: 198 On his election, he changed his name to Maximus, an unparalleled case in the history of the Ecumenical Patriarchate[2] because usually a monastic name is maintained throughout an ecclesiastic career. As Patriarch, he defended the rights of Orthodox Christians living in territories under theRepublic of Venice.[3]
During his reign arose some pieces of gossip about him, not specified by the sources, which led to his deposition in early 1497.[4]
After his resignation, he remained actively involved with ecclesiastic issues, even plotting against his successorNephon II of Constantinople, until he was forced to retire in themonastery of Vatopedi, where he died at an unknown date.[5]
| Eastern Orthodox Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Dionysus I (2) | Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople 1491 – 1497 | Succeeded by |