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correct Euthymius IV
Meletios was born of a family originally from the island of Chios in the Aegean Sea. The date of his birth is not known. He entered the [[Holy Lavra of St. Savas (Jerusalem)|Mar Saba monastery]], near Bethlehem, where he became a [[hieromonk]]. He became known as painter of [[icon]]s which led to his being called to Damascus to paint the [[cathedral]].
The dying Patriarch [[Euthymius III Karmah]] suggested Meletios as his successor. Euthymius III died [[January 1]], 1635 and shortly after his death Meletios was elected [[patriarch]]. Taking the name Euthymius IIIIV, he was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] patriarch by Philotheos of Homs, Simeon of Saidnaya, and Joachim of Zabadani.
He is remembered as the ''"timid"'' Patriarch in that he did not display the courage of his predecessor. His maintained very good relations with the Latin [[missionary|missionaries]] in Syria even though he never wrote directly to the [[pope]]. He died of illness in Damascus on [[October 11]], 1647.
