Ignatius of Constantinople, Saint
Ignatius of Constantinople, Saint,
c.800–877, Greek churchman, patriarch of Constantinople. A son of Byzantine Emperor Michael I, he was castrated and shut up in a monastery (813) by the man who deposed his father, Emperor Leo V, to prevent his succession to the throne. In 846 or 847, he was made patriarch of Constantinople by the Empress Theodora, who approved his uncompromising zeal against iconoclasmiconoclasm[Gr.,=image breaking], opposition to the religious use of images. Veneration of pictures and statues symbolizing sacred figures, Christian doctrine, and biblical events was an early feature of Christian worship (see iconography; catacombs).
..... Click the link for more information. . After her banishment by her brother Bardas, who became regent for Michael III, St. Ignatius was asked to resign. PhotiusPhotius
, c.820–892?, Greek churchman and theologian, patriarch of Constantinople, b. Constantinople. He came of a noble Byzantine family. Photius was one of the most learned men of his time, a professor in the university at Constantinople and, under Byzantine Emperor
..... Click the link for more information. , whose politics were more acceptable, became patriarch. The Ignatian party refused to accept Photius and sought aid from the pope, St. Nicholas INicholas I, Saint,
c.825–867, pope (858–67), a Roman; successor of Benedict III. He was a vigorous and politically active pope who arbitrated both temporal and religious disputes.
..... Click the link for more information. . On the accession of Basil IBasil I
(Basil the Macedonian) , c.813–886, Byzantine emperor (867–86). His ancestors probably were Armenians or Slavs who settled in Macedonia. He became (c.856) the favorite of Emperor Michael III.
..... Click the link for more information. , St. Ignatius again became patriarch. In 869, St. Ignatius was declared to be the legal patriarch (see Constantinople, Fourth Council ofConstantinople, Fourth Council of,
869–70, regarded as the eighth ecumenical council by the modern Roman Catholic Church. It has never been accepted by the Orthodox Church, which instead recognizes the council of 880 that supported Photius.
..... Click the link for more information. ). Ignatius is regarded as a saint by both the Orthodox Eastern and Roman Catholic Churches. Feast: Oct. 23.