Joachim IV Ecumenical Patriarch from October 1, 1884 to November 14, 1886 Date of Birth: 05.03.1837 Country: Turkey

1. Patriarch Joachim IV of Constantinople
2. Early Life and Education
3. Episcopal Ordination and Metropolitanship
4. Patriarchate
5. Controversies and Resignation
6. Later Years

Patriarch Joachim IV of Constantinople

Joachim IV (born Ioannis Athanasiou) was the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from October 1, 1884, to November 14, 1886.

Early Life and Education

Joachim IV was born in Smyrna, Ottoman Empire, and was a nephew of Patriarch Joachim II of Constantinople. He graduated from the Halki Theological School and entered the monastic life in 1860. In 1863, he became the first secretary of the Synod.

Episcopal Ordination and Metropolitanship

In 1870, Joachim IV was ordained a bishop and consecrated as the Metropolitan of Larissa. In 1875, he was tasked with resolving a dispute at Mount Athos involving the Panteleimon Monastery. From 1877 to 1880, he served as Metropolitan of Derkoi.

Patriarchate

After the resignation of Patriarch Joachim III, who was supported by Russia, Joachim IV was elected Patriarch on October 1, 1884. His initial actions, such as sending a notification letter to other synods that was different from the ones sent to patriarchs and recognizing the autocephaly of the Romanian Church, drew criticism from Russia.

Controversies and Resignation

Joachim IV's decision to grant a divorce to Princess Maria Gorchakova, whose case was under consideration by the Russian government, led to protests from Ober-Procurator Konstantin Pobedonostsev. The Russian Holy Synod accused him of interfering in the affairs of other churches.

Joachim IV's actions also faced criticism from the Synod of the Great Church and from former Patriarch Joachim III. In 1886, Ivan Troitsky, a Byzantinist close to Pobedonostsev, published an article accusing Joachim IV of "papal tendencies."

Due to ongoing conflicts and ill health, Joachim IV resigned from the patriarchate on November 14, 1886.

Later Years

After his resignation, Joachim IV lived in Smyrna and then on his native island of Chios, where he died. He was buried in the Church of the Transfiguration in the village of Kallimasia, Chios.