Athanasios Patellaros, Patriarch of Constantinople, Saint († 1654)
Saint Athanasios Patellaros was born in Axos Milopotamou on Crete sometime between 1580 and 1597. He studied Ancient Greek literature, philosophy and theology. He was versed in both Greek and Latin and was distinguished by his overall learning, his preaching and the poetry he wrote. He was tonsured a monk at the Sinai metochion in Chandakas (Iraklion). Later he went to the Holy Mountain, settling in a cell in the area of Pantokratoros Monastery. In 1631 he was chosen Metropolitan of Thessaloniki. In March of 1634 he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople; but he was dethroned shortly thereafter and returned to Mount Athos, settling at the ancient small Monastery of Xystris, that is, the present day Vatopaidi Skete of Saint Andrew (Sarai). In 1652 he was raised a second time to the Patriarch Throne for fifteen days. Afterwards he went to Russia where carried out a significant spiritual mission and anti-Latin activities. He departed this life in 1654 at the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in the village Mgar of Lyubni, Ukraine, where he was buried. His tomb became a fountain of sanctifying and healing waters. The Church of Russia officially recognized his sanctity in 1662, and his memory is honored on 18 January and on 2 May.