1. Biography

It is unknown when exactly Neophytos VI was born, but his birth can be dated in the second half of the 17^th century, and most probably not in its last years, since during the year of his death (1747) he was very old. Coming from Patmos, he was promoted to the diocese throne of Caesarea by his compatriot and predecessor, who was later to become the Ecumenical Patriarch Ieremias III.

2. Activity

Although it is reported he did not have any special education (Gedeon goes as far as characterizing him a vulgar man),¹ Neophytos appears to have been especially active as the metropolitan of Caesarea and proceeded in building churches, as well as re-establishing and reconstructing the monastery of Saint John the Baptist at Zincidere (Flaviana) in 1728, an act of great importance.

Neophytos’ patriarchal terms of office (1734-1740, 1743-1744) are not characterized from any important events or actions of his, neither his action in the diocese of Caesarea or in Asia Minor in general is known. After his second dismissal from the patriarchal throne in 1744, after the actions of Paisios II, he was exiled to his homeland Patmos, where he died three years later (1747). Neophytos was considered by the next generations to be one of the most distinguished metropolitans of Caesarea, mainly thanks to the reestablishment of the monastery of Saint John.²