Maximus V of Constantinople

Maximus V (Greek: Μάξιμος Εʹ; 26 October 1897 – 1 January 1972) served as the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1946 until his resignation in 1948.

Maximus V of Constantinople
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
Church	Church of Constantinople
In office	20 February 1946 – 19 October 1948
Predecessor	Benjamin I of Constantinople
Successor	Athenagoras I of Constantinople
Personal details
Born	26 October 1897 Sinop, Turkey
Died	1 January 1972 (aged 74) Switzerland

Biography

He was born Maximos Vaportzis in northern Turkey, at Sinop in Kastamonu Vilayet, on the Black Sea coast. He was first educated, under the protection of metropolitan bishop Germanos of Amaseia, at the Theological School of Halki, Istanbul.

In 1918, he was ordained a deacon. With this appointment, he also became teacher at the city school of Theira. He served as arch-deacon under Metropolitans Gregorios of Chalcedon and Joachim of Ephesus. In 1920, he became the archdeacon to the Ecumenical Patriarchate itself.

In 1946, he became Patriarch of Constantinople. He was known for his 'leftist' opinions and ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. He resigned in 1948, officially because of poor health; unofficially because western powers did not approve his ties with the Soviet-controlled Patriarch of Moscow. He was succeeded by the archbishop of America, Athenagoras, and was given the title of Ephesus.

He died in Switzerland on January 1, 1972.