Biography.guide
Home › People › Presbyter › Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople
Portrait of Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople

Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople

1501 – 1603

Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople

Lived 1501 – 1603 (aged 101–102). Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople was a Turkish presbyter.

Matthew II of Constantinople (; died 1603) was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople three times, shortly in 1596 (20 days), from 1598 to 1602 and for a few days in 1603 (17 days).

Life Member of the Aromanian community, Matthew was born in the village Klinovos (now part of Kalabaka), and he became Metropolis of Ioannina. In early 1596, he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch, but the election was not recognized because the Holy Synod that elected him was not attended by all the members; thus, after twenty days, Matthew II was forced to resign and moved to Mount Athos.

Matthew II was elected again in April 1598. During this Patriarchate, Matthew II transferred the patriarchal see from the Church of St. Demetrius Xyloportas, used since 1597, to the unimpressive church of the women's monastery of St. George in the Phanar, where it remains until today as St. George's Cathedral. The Phanar district then became the recognised centre of Greek Christian life in the city. He remained on the throne until January 1602, when he returned to Mount Athos.

Once again, he ascended to the throne in January 1603 and reigned for seventeen days, either until his death, or, according to other sources, until he retired to Mount Athos, where he died in the same year.

Canonisations Matthew II canonised the Blessed Philothei of Athens, who was martyred in 1589 in Athens.

Notes and references

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
1501
Birth century
Died
1603
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
Also known as
Matthew II

People in Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople?

Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople

When was Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople born?

Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople was born in 1501.

When did Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople die?

Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople died in 1603.

What was Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople's occupation?

Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople was a presbyter.

What nationality was Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople?

Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople was Turkish.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople

· Wikidata: Q3298767

· DBpedia: Matthew II of Constantinople

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople. https://biography.guide/patriarch-matthew-ii-of-constantinople/

MLA: "Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/patriarch-matthew-ii-of-constantinople/.

Chicago: "Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/patriarch-matthew-ii-of-constantinople/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:24 UTC