Famous Turkish Spiritual & Religious Leaders

Murad IV, who ruled as the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1623 to 1640, was infamous for his cruelty. He took over the throne at 11 and subsequently came to be known for his exploits in the Ottoman–Safavid War, which changed the map of the Caucasus.

Polycarp was a Christian bishop of Smyrna. According to some sources,  he had been a disciple of John the Apostle, one of Jesus’ disciples. Along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch, he is regarded as one of three chief Apostolic Fathers. He died a martyr, according to the Martyrdom of Polycarp, and is considered a saint.

Abdülmecid II is remembered as the last caliph of the Ottoman dynasty of Turkey. Son of Sultan Abdulaziz, he received his education at the palace. After the deposition of his cousin and the abolition of the Sultanate, he was declared the caliph by the Turkish National Assembly.

Born in the Ottoman Empire, now Turkey, Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America was initially educated at the Theological School of Halki and then at Harvard University, before being ordained a priest. A civil rights movement supporter, he had participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches.

Gregory of Sinai was a monk who played a major role in the emergence of Hesychasm in 14th century. He learned the ways of Hesychasm from Arsenios. Gregory of Sinai is also credited with founding a monastery in southeast Bulgaria where he had taken shelter in the Bulgarian Empire in an attempt to escape the increasing Muslim raids on Athos.

Andreas of Caesarea was a Greek theological writer whose commentary on the Book of Revelation is regarded as his principal work. His work is widely considered the earliest Greek patristic commentary on the Book of Revelation. Andreas of Caesarea is also credited with preserving several Eastern traditions associated with the Apocalypse of John.