[1] He advanced rapidly, being consecrated a deacon, a presbyter, and at age 20 he was appointed bishop of the Thessalian villages of Domeniko and Elassona.
However, his very youth caused the local inhabitants to reject him, so that he returned to serve alongside Metropolitan Mark for four more years, before being appointed exarch of the bishopric of Stagoi.
Finally, in 1526/7, when Mark died, he succeeded him as Metropolitan of Larissa with the support of both the local clergy and the people.
[1] His tenure was marked by important social and charitable work, particularly with the construction of the Korakou and Portaikos bridges.
[1] The katholikon founded by Bessarion was later replaced by another, still surviving one, by his nephew, Metropolitan Neophytus II of Larissa.