Ignatius of Constantinople

He was born at Constantinople and died there. Ignatius was the oldest son of the Emperor Michael I who ruled the Byzantine Empire from 811 to 813 when he was exiled to Proti. By that time, Ignatius was castrated so that he could never succeed to the throne. When he was of age, he became a monk, and his superior qualifications and personality made him a leader in the monastic community. When Theodora ruled as Regent during the first year of Michael III the sot's reign, appointed Ignatius Patriarch of Constantinople. However, when Michael came on the throne, deposed Ignatius and made Photius Patriarch of Constantinople, the reason being that was that Ignatius' criticism of the emperor and his court about their misbehaviors and scandals. Ignatius was first exiled to his monastery on Terebinthos ( modern Sedef ) island off the Asian Shores of Constantinople. Later, he was dragged from one prison to another and humiliated and subjected to inhuman tortures. Widespread reaction from the public at this treatment of St. Ignatius forced the emperor Michael to allow him to return to his Monastery at Terebinthos. The time was working in favor of St. Ignatius. Basil I murdered Michael and usurped the throne in 867 and restored St. Ignatius as Patriarch of the City. He maintained this position until his death in 877, and his body was brought back to his monastery at Terebinthos and buried there.