Supported by the Moldavian Voivode, Vasile Lupu, he was elected the first time to the Patriarchal Throne on 16 November 1646.

[3] In 1654 he was imprisoned for being the main cause of the accumulating debts of the Patriarchate towards the Ottoman Porte.

[3] To strengthen his position towards his opponents, he looked for the support of the Ferdinand III, Austrian Emperor and of Rome.

For this reason, he allowed Catholic missions to be settled in the Black Sea coasts and in the Cyclades.

Despite this, refused to sign a Catholic profession of faith as asked by Propaganda Fide, pleading his precarious position.