Constantius I Ecumenical Patriarch (1830-1834) Date of Birth: 01.01.1770 Country: Turkey

1. Early Life and Education
2. Archbishop of Sinai
3. Ecumenical Patriarch
4. Resignation and Return to Sinai
5. Burial and Literary Works

Early Life and Education

Constantine I received his education at the Patriarchal School in Constantinople and later in Iași (present-day Romania). In 1789, under the sponsorship of Russian General Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaysky, he went to the Kyiv Theological Academy. After graduating in 1793, he became an archimandrite at the Kyiv Monastery of the Holy Trinity.

Archbishop of Sinai

In 1805, Constantine was elected Archbishop of Sinai, a position he held until 1830. During this period, he resided at the Sinai Monastery in Cyprus and Constantinople.

Ecumenical Patriarch

Following the death of Patriarch Agathangelos in 1830, Constantine I was elected Ecumenical Patriarch. During his patriarchate, he established a commercial school on the island of Chalki and introduced primary schools using the Lancasterian method. He also rebuilt the Church of the Life-Giving Spring in Constantinople. In 1831, he granted autonomy to the Serbian Church after the principality gained political independence.

Resignation and Return to Sinai

In 1834, Constantine I resigned from the patriarchate due to allegations of pro-Russian sentiments by the deposed Metropolitan of Tyrnovo. His successor, Gregory VI (formerly Metropolitan Constantine II), succeeded him on September 26th. Constantine was re-elected Archbishop of Sinai and served until his death in 1859.

Burial and Literary Works

Constantine I was buried in the Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring in Valukli. In 1865, his remains were transferred to the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai. He authored the "Circular Letter of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church to All Orthodox Christians" in 1848, in response to Pope Pius IX's encyclical In Suprema Petri Sede. Constantine I also wrote numerous scientific, historical, and theological works.