Joachim (Archbishop of Cyprus)

Prior to being elevated to the archbishop's chair, he was the housekeeper of the monastery of the Apostle Barnabas near Famagusta . He was fluent in Turkish ^[1] .

In March 1821, a national liberation uprising broke out in Greece ^[1] . On July 9, 1821, the governor of the island of Cyprus, which was part of the Ottoman Empire , Kucuk Mehmet executed 486 Greek Cypriots, including the Primate of the Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Cyprian, Metropolitans, Abbot of monasteries and other representatives of the higher clergy, noble and influential Greek Cypriots, rural elders communities whose property was to be expropriated ^[2] . Joachim was not executed, but was held in prison as a hostage ^[1] .

Since there was no one bishop left in Cyprus - the archbishop was executed by three metropolitans, and the only surviving bishop, Trimyfuntos Spiridon, fled to Rome - to replace the widowing departments, Kuciuc Mehmet ordered four clergymen who were held by him from prison to be held hostage: Joachim Panarithos Archdeacon , Archimandrite Leonty and the Cyrene Exarch Damascus . They were brought to the archbishop's residence in the same mules on which they had earlier delivered to the place of execution Archbishop Cyprian and three metropolitans. Kyuchyuk Mehmet proclaimed Archimandrite Joachim Archbishop of Cyprus, Archdeacon Panaret - Metropolitan of Paphos, Archimandrite Leonty - Metropolitan of China, and Exarch Damaskin - Metropolitan of Cyrene. They asked the Patriarch of Constantinople Eugene II to petition the Patriarch of Seraphim of Antioch to send three bishops to Cyprus for consecration. After hesitation, Patriarch Eugene turned to Patriarch Seraphim, and in December 1821 he sent to Cyprus Bishop John of Epiphanius, Bishop of Seleucia Gennady and Bishop of Emesses Methodius ^[1] .

By that time, the Church of Cyprus was burdened with huge debts, further exacerbated by the massacre of the Greek clergy. To pay debts, Archbishop Joachim began selling church property, including sacred utensils, which angered the clergy and laity who accused Joachim of spending money on bribes to Turkish officials ^[1] . In addition, he was accused of illiteracy and inability to conduct administrative affairs. The Patriarchs of Constantinople Anthim III and Methodius of Antioch were unable to reconcile Joachim II and the clergy dissatisfied with him. Among his political blunders was hostile behavior towards the French clergy and merchants of Larnaca ^[2] .

Under pressure from the Turkish authorities ^[3] . Archbishop Joachim was forced to retire on May 21, 1824 ^[1] . Metropolitan of Cyrene Damascene became his successor ^[2] . The fate of the former Archbishop Joachim is not reported.