Cyril VI elected Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople

Background. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is an autocephalous church within Eastern Orthodox Christianity, headed by the Ecumenical Patriarch who holds the status of primus inter pares. Historically, the patriarchate served as the spiritual leader for Orthodox Christians in the Ottoman Empire, including various ethnic groups. The headquarters have been located in the Church of St George in the Phanar district since 1586, a neighborhood often used as a metonym for the patriarchate.

Election of Cyril VI. Cyril VI, whose lay name was Konstantinos Serpentzoglou, was elected Ecumenical Patriarch on 4 March 1813. This election followed the resignation of Jeremias IV of Constantinople. Cyril VI served in this capacity until 1818, during a period when the patriarchate maintained its role as a central ecclesiastical authority in the region.

Institutional Context. The affairs of the patriarchate are conducted by the Holy Synod, presided over by the Ecumenical Patriarch. The resident synod governed the business of the patriarchate and examined questions pertinent to the whole Church. The patriarchate was known as the "Great Church of Christ" and served as a touchstone for ecclesiastical affairs in the East, including church government and relations with the state.