FILOTHEOS KOKKINOS. — Palamite theologian of the 14th century, a native of Thessalonica. His fame rests on the fact that, though a simple monk at the Great Lavra (Megisti Lavra) on Mount Athos, he was entrusted with the drafting of the Τόμος 'Αγιορείτικος in support of Gregory Palamas. Later he became hegumen of the Lavra in the same place, then Metropolitan of Heraclea, and finally, twice over, Patriarch of Constantinople (1353–54; 1364–76).
In the three major issues of his patriarchate—namely, the hesychast controversy, the Turkish peril, and the union of the Churches—he gave eloquent proof of his singular boldness in action. While Emperor John V Palaiologos was negotiating with the Pope for submission to Church unity, F. placed obstacles in the way by condemning the most outspoken opponents of Palamism, such as Prochoros Kydones, and by enrolling Gregory Palamas himself in the catalogue of saints (1368). He died in 1379, leaving a substantial legacy of patriarchal decrees worthy of study and a considerable number of works, for the most part still unpublished. The Greek Church, though not including F. K. in its synaxaria and menologia, still celebrates his memory on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.