Photios I of Constantinople

Патриарх фотий

Photios I of Constantinople (c. 810/820 – 6 February 893) was the Patriarch of Constantinople from 858 to 867 and from 877 to 886. He is recognized in the Eastern Orthodox Church as St. Photios the Great, celebrated on February 6. His tenure was marked by the Photian Schism, a significant conflict with Rome that contributed to the eventual East–West Schism between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

Early Life

Photios was born into a noble family in Constantinople. Little is known about his early life, but he was well-educated, excelling in both secular and religious studies. Before his elevation to the patriarchate, Photios had a distinguished career as a scholar and a statesman.

Patriarchate

Photios was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople in 858, succeeding Ignatius, whose removal caused controversy. This appointment was one of the main causes of the Photian Schism. The dispute centered around the legitimacy of Photios's appointment and the authority of the Pope in Constantinople's affairs.

Photian Schism

The Photian Schism (863–867) was a major conflict between the See of Constantinople and the See of Rome. The schism was primarily about ecclesiastical jurisdiction and the appointment of Photios as Patriarch of Constantinople. Pope Nicholas I refused to recognize Photios's elevation, leading to a breakdown in relations. The schism was temporarily resolved in 867 when Photios was deposed and Ignatius reinstated. However, after Ignatius's death in 877, Photios was reinstated as patriarch, leading to a second phase of the schism until his final deposition in 886.

Contributions to the Church and Scholarship

Photios is renowned for his scholarly work, including the Myriobiblon or Bibliotheca, a compendium of excerpts from classical authors. His contributions to theology, particularly his stance on the Filioque clause, were significant in the context of the East-West Schism. Photios argued against the addition of the Filioque to the Nicene Creed, a position that the Eastern Orthodox Church maintains to this day.

Legacy

Photios's legacy is complex. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, he is venerated as a saint and a defender of the faith against papal authority. His scholarly works have also left a lasting impact on both secular and religious studies. The Photian Schism, however, had long-lasting effects on Christian unity, contributing to the eventual separation between the Eastern and Western Churches.

See Also

• East–West Schism
• Filioque
• Patriarch of Constantinople
• Eastern Orthodox Church
• Roman Catholic Church