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In 1590, Meletius was [[enthronement|enthroned]] Patriarch of Alexandria and became involved in maintaining the position and prestige of Orthodoxy in the middle east and eastern Europe. This he did through theological debates and ecclesiastical diplomacy. He participated in a number of councils including those of Constantinople in 1593 and 1597. He vigorously opposed the negotiations by Orthodox with the [[Roman Catholic Church]] in the Polish held areas bordering Russia that led to the Union of Brest-Litovsk. In correspondence with King Sigismund III of Poland, he denied the claims of papal supremacy. He also wrote against the Roman formulation of the [[filioque]].
In 1593, Meletius [[ordination|ordained ]] the promising twenty-one year old [[Cyril Lucaris]] as [[deacon]] and then as [[priest]]. During the years of 1597 and 1598, Meletius was also the [[locum tenens]] for the throne of the Patriarch of Constantinople.
Meletius reposed on [[September 14]], 1601 in Alexandria and was succeeded by his protege Cyril Lucaris who was elected his successor as Cyril III.
