Paisius II of Constantinople

His All Holiness Paisius II (Kioumourtzoglou) of Constantinople was Patriarch of Constantinople for four periods, from 1726 to 1732, from 1740 to 1743, from 1744 to 1748, and from 1751 to 1752.

Paisius II was patriarch during a period of controversy concerning the reception of heterodox, particularly Roman Catholics and Protestants, into the Orthodox Church. The controversy centered over the issue of baptism and re-baptism requirements.

In 1748, Paisius, who have been patriarch three times before, was replaced as patriarch by Cyril V in part over this issue as he seemed to favor the anti-Latin party. In 1751, the hierodeacon Auxentius of Katirli raised strong emotional feelings among many of the Orthodox faithful concerning the validity the Latin baptism. When Cyril did not act on the complains of the Auxentius party, demands became such a strong issue during the latter periods of his office that he was forced out of the office by the pro-Latin party because he wouldn't take action against Auxentius of Katirli who had been campaigning strongly against the validity of Latin baptism. With Cyril's deposition, Patr. Paisius II was called back, and he immediately tried to silence Auxentius.

What ensued was a mounting opposition to Paisius, as Auxentius, seen as a holy man, refused to stand down. The patriarchate called Auxentius to admonish him but without success. Failing to convince him, Paisius and the patriarchate forbade Auxentius to continue his preaching. This only made the Auxentius party more distrustful and their opposition against the church authorities took on the characteristics of a riot. This unrest brought the involvement of the Turkish government which approached those who were responsible for social unrest in its own fashion. The Turks creating a ruse through which they were able to get Auxentius on a boat away from the crowd where they straggled him.

The Auxentius partisans who were looking for him and not getting any response from the Grand Vizier's palace then turned on the patriarchate, seized the Paisius and beat him. Finally rescued by the Phanar police, Patr. Paisius fled and escaped by sea, and Cyril returned to the patriarchate.

Succession box: Paisius II of Constantinople
Preceded by: Jeremias III	Patriarch of Constantinople 1726-1732	Succeeded by: Jeremias III
Preceded by: Neophytus VI	Patriarch of Constantinople 1740-1743	Succeeded by: Neophytus VI
Preceded by: Neophytus VI	Patriarch of Constantinople 1744-1748	Succeeded by: Cyril V
Preceded by: Cyril V	Patriarch of Constantinople 1751-1752	Succeeded by: Cyril V

Help with box

Sources

• On the Question of the Order of Reception of Persons into the Orthodox Church
• On the Reception into the Orthodox Church