Iakovos Pangkostas, Patriarch of Alexandria (1861–1865)

Iakovos Pangkostas, Patriarch of Alexandria (1861–1865)

Iakovos Pangkostas was born on Patmos in 1803 and studied at the Patmiada School. In 1820 he became a monk at the Monastery of Patmos. In 1832 he moved to Constantinople where he served as parish priest and teacher. In 1842 he was chosen Metropolitan of Cassandraeia and was written into the register of monks at Vatopaidi Monastery. In 1846 he transferred to the Metropolis of Serres. In 1860 he was reassigned to the See of Kyzikos, though he never reached there because he was elected Patriarch of Alexandria. As Patriarch of Alexandria he managed to resolve finally the sensational Sinai issue and to confront with discretion and wisdom the insurgency of Evgenios Xeropotaminos. Returning to Constantinople in 1865, he stayed for a few days in his native land of Patmos, where he reposed unexpectedly on 30 December 1865.

The staff of the Patriarch of Alexandria Iakovos Pangkostas, which is kept at Vatopaidi Monastery.