Saint Hieromartyr Cyril VI, Patriarch
of Constantinople.

Cyril was born in 1769 in Edirne, where he finished school. He was a smart and good student. He was put under the protection of the local metropolitan bishop (and later Ecumenical Patriarch) Callinicus V of Constantinople, who ordained him deacon in 1791 and hired him as a secretary.

In 1801, when Callinicus V was elected Patriarch, Cyril was appointed great archdeacon of the Patriarchate. From that position, he was especially occupied with the reorganisation of the Great School of the Nation, which was then moved to Kuruçeşme. This early responsibility demonstrated his commitment to the preservation and advancement of Orthodox learning.

In September 1803 he was elected Metropolitan bishop of Konya, serving as such for seven years. There, he worked hard for the establishment of schools, the funding of impecunious students, the distribution of books and the general education. His tenure as Metropolitan revealed his pastoral vision for educational reform throughout the Orthodox Church.

On March 4, 1813, he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. As Ecumenical Patriarch, he showed special interest in the development of education, founded a music school and published many books, mainly religious. He fixed the economical problems of the Patriarchate and reopened the Patriarchal Press and the Great School of the Nation. In 1814, Patriarch Cyril presided over the adoption by the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople of the New Method of teaching and learning Byzantine music that had been developed by the "Three Teachers", Gregory Protopsaltes the Byzantios, Chrysanthos, and Chourmouzios Chartophylax.

The Sultan Mahmud II made him resign on 13 December 1818. After his resignation, he retired to Edirne. Though deposed from his patriarchal throne, Cyril maintained his spiritual dignity and continued to witness to Orthodox faith even in exile.

When the Greek War of Independence broke out, his name was included in the decree of the Sultan where the command to execute 30 priests and kodjabashis of Edirne was given. He was executed on 18 April 1821 by hanging in the gate of the Metropolis and his body stayed hanging for three days (the first time the rope broke and the Ottomans considered it a superstition). This was nine days following the martyrdom of Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory V (+ April 10, 1821).

His holy relic was thrown into the Ebro (Iberus) River, but Divine Providence took care to bank it by a tree near the village Pythio. He was buried in this border village in Thrace and thereafter performed miracles to benefit the pious people. In Pythio a church was erected in his honor. On May 11, 1989, his tomb was opened at which time his relics began to give off myrrh that gave off a fragrance throughout the village of Pythio. On September 8, 1991, a church in remembrance of Patriarch Cyril was dedicated.

On July 8, 1993 the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece added the Holy New Hieromartyr Cyril VI, Patriarch of Constantinople, to the List of Saints of the Church. His memory is venerated as a faithful pastor who gave his life for the Orthodox Church and his people, enduring martyrdom during the upheaval of the Greek War of Independence. His contributions to the reform of Byzantine music and the strengthening of Orthodox education remain significant legacies in the Church.

Hieromartyr Cyril VI was the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1813 to 1818, serving during a pivotal period in the history of the Orthodox Church under Ottoman rule. His lay name was Konstantinos Serpentzoglou, and he was born in 1769 in Edirne, where he finished school.

He was put under the protection of the local metropolitan bishop (and later Ecumenical Patriarch) Callinicus V of Constantinople, who ordained him deacon in 1791 and hired him as a secretary. In 1801, when Callinicus V was elected Patriarch, Cyril was appointed great archdeacon of the Patriarchate. From that position, he was especially occupied with the reorganisation of the Great School of the Nation, which was then moved to Kuruçeşme. In September 1803 he was elected Metropolitan bishop of Konya, serving as such for seven years. There, he worked hard for the establishment of schools, the funding of impecunious students, the distribution of books and the general education.

As Patriarch, Cyril VI distinguished himself as a reformer and advocate for Orthodox education. As Ecumenical Patriarch, he showed special interest in the development of education, founded a music school and published many books, mainly religious. He fixed the economical problems of the Patriarchate and reopened the Patriarchal Press and the Great School of the Nation. In 1814, Patriarch Cyril presided over the adoption by the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople of the New Method of teaching and learning Byzantine music that had been developed by the "Three Teachers", Gregory Protopsaltes the Byzantios, Chrysanthos, and Chourmouzios Chartophylax.

The Sultan Mahmud II made him resign on 13 December 1818. After his resignation, he retired to Edirne. When the Greek War of Independence broke out, his name was included in the decree of the Sultan where the command to execute 30 priests and kodjabashis of Edirne was given. He was executed on 18 April 1821 by hanging in the gate of the Metropolis and his body stayed hanging for three days. This was nine days following the martyrdom of Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory V (+ April 10, 1821).

His holy relic was thrown into the Ebro (Iberus) River, but Divine Providence took care to bank it by a tree near the village Pythio. He was buried in this border village in Thrace and thereafter performed miracles to benefit the pious people. In Pythio a church was erected in his honor. On July 8, 1993 the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece added the Holy New Hieromartyr Cyril VI, Patriarch of Constantinople, to the List of Saints of the Church.