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He was born to a noble family at Constantinople c. 820 and died there c. 891. He was the patriarch of Constantinople and one of the greatest scholars and theologians of the Byzantine ages. Photius had a brilliant career as a diplomat and scholar. Later he was elected patriarch of Constantinople to replace Ignatius, who was in conflict with the court of the emperor Michael III. The election of Photius was opposed by the supporters of Ignatius who appealed to the judgment of Nicholas I the Pope. At the beginning, Photius was supported by Papal legates, but later denounced by the pope. The conflict had roots in the competition between the Byzantine and Western churches. Photius accused the papal missionaries heretics and called a council in 867 which deposed Pope Nicholas I. When Basil I murdered Michael III and usurped the throne deposed Photius and restored Ignatius as the patriarch of Constantinople. |
