Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople

Matthew II
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
Church	Church of Constantinople
In office	February 1596 April 1598 – January 1602 January – February 1603
Predecessor	Jeremias II Theophanes I Neophytus II
Successor	Gabriel I Neophytus II Raphael II
Personal details
Died	1603
Previous post	Metropolitan of Ioannina

Matthew II (Greek: Ματθαῖος Β΄) was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople three times, shortly in 1596, from 1598 to 1602 and for a few days in 1603.

Member of the Vlach community, Matthew was born in the village Kleinovo (now part of Kalabaka), and he became Metropolitan 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 was forced to resign and moved to Mount Athos.

In April 1598 Matthew was elected again and remained on the throne until January 1602, when he returned to Mount Athos. During his Patriarchate Matthew transferred the patriarchal see from the Church of St. Demetrius Xyloportas, used since 1597, to the unimpressive church of Saint George in the Phanar, where it remains until today. He also canonized the Blessed Philothei, who was martyred a few years before in Athens.

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.

...
Wikipedia