Patriarch
Saint Meletius of Alexandria was born in Crete between 1535 and 1540. He studied in Venice and Padua. After becoming a monk, he founded a school where he taught the ancient Greek language. He later became abbot of the Agarathos Monastery in Crete and subsequently a metropolitan bishop.
In 1590, he was elected Patriarch of Alexandria. During his tenure, he faced several challenges, including outstanding debts owed to the Ottoman sultan and the missionary activities of the Jesuits. He made considerable efforts to overcome these difficulties and, among other initiatives, sought to bring the Coptic and Orthodox Churches into communion.
Throughout his life, he opposed papal influence and devoted himself to preaching and teaching the Gospel. In 1593, he participated in the Council of Constantinople, contributing to the establishment of the Patriarchate of Moscow. He also played an active role in matters concerning the Orthodox Christianity in western Russia and Poland.
Saint Meletius reposed in 1601, at the age of 52. Following his death, he was canonized by the Orthodox Church of Alexandria. In 2003, he was also officially recognized as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church.
