Philotheos Kokkinos, Saint
Saint Philotheos Kokkinos was born in Thessaloniki in about the year 1300. He received an exceptional education and early on he embraced the monastic life. He visited Mount Sinai, and from there he went to Athos. Initially he settled at Vatopaidi Monastery; afterwards he stayed at Great Lavra, eventually becoming the abbot in 1342. He became connected with Saint Gregory Palamas, with whom he actively stood fast on the hesychasm issue. In 1347 he was elected Metropolitan Bishop of Heraclea; later he was raised to the throne of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He served as Patriarch on two occasions: from 1353 to 1354, and from 1364 to 1376. He stepped down in 1376 and reposed in 1379. He was a deep theologian, a wonderful synaxarist and a fine hymnographer. He was honored as a saint quite early, and he is commemorated on 11 October.