Durham E-Theses Methodios I patriarch of Constantinople: churchman, politician and confessor for the faith Bithos, George P. How to cite: Bithos, George P. (2001) Methodios I patriarch of Constantinople: churchman, politician and confessor for the faith, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4239/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 METHODIOS I PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE Churchman, Politician and Confessor for the Faith Submitted by George P. Bithos BS DDS University of Durham Department of Theology A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Orthodox Theology and Byzantine History 2001 The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published in any form, including' Electronic and the Internet, without the author's prior written consent All information derived from this thesis must be acknowledged appropriately. Professor Andrew Louth Chair and Supervisor 2) Z 2 MAR 2002 Abstract George P. Bithos BS DDS University of Durham Department of Theology Ph.D. Orthodox Theology and Byzantine History 2001 Methodios I Patriarch of Constantinople Churchman, Politician, and Confessor for the Faith The chapter concerning the life and times of Methodios, Patriarch of Constantinople, begins with a summary of the history of the iconoclastic controversy. This provides the background for a review of Methodios' vita. A native of Syracuse in Sicily, he became a central figure in the victory of the iconodules over the forces of iconoclasm. Methodios was the Patriarch of Constantinople (843 - 847). The Triumph of Orthodoxy, over which Methodios presided, commemorated the victory of icon supporters. The Sunday of Orthodoxy services are examined and the Synodicon's content is analysed. The third chapter discusses the consequences of the restoration of images. This period of stabilisation and strengthening of the Church was, nonetheless, fraught with turmoil and controversy. The re-integration of the former iconoclasts and a schism from the Studite monks were two serious challenges the Patriarch faced during this time. The formation of Methodios' ecclesiology, his concept of the Church, including his sense of place in and responsibility for the Tradition of the Church were significant in his thinking. The synergy of Paradosis and Parakatatheki is explored and it will be shown that Methodios considered himself accountable to God for his ecclesial trust. His literary works are catalogued and analysed. Some previously unpublished compositions are discussed. The categories of hagiographic, poetic and liturgical compositions are emphasised. This is undertaken to reveal Methodios, both the dedicated iconodule but more importantly, the man. Finally, conclusions and thoughts concerning the legacy of Patriarch Methodios within Orthodoxy and history are offered. I V Figure 1: - Icon of the SUNDAY of ORTHODOXY (used by permission of British Library) iii TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures vi Declaration and Copyright Statement vii Acknowledgements viii Dedication ix In Memoriam x Introduction 1 1 Life and Times Sources 7 Background: The Genesis of Iconoclasm 8 Onset of Christian Iconoclasm 10 Iconoclasm Phase One 16 Leo V and the Re-appearance of Iconoclasm 47 Methodios - The Life 64 Methodios - The Confessor 72 2 Triumph of Orthodoxy 81 Synod of Election and the First Sunday of Orthodoxy 91 The Synodicon 100 The Canon of the Sunday of Orthodoxy 132 3 The Consequences of the Restoration of Icons After the Triumph 157 A Storm of Criticism 174 Methodios and the Studites 176 4 The Development and Influences of Methodian Ecclesiology Ecclesiology Introduced 204 Patriarch Germanos 207 Tarasios and Nicaea II 215 Nikephoros and Theodore the Studite face Iconoclasm II 224 Synergy of Paradosis and Parakatatheki 245 iv 5 Literary Harvest Introduction 253 Polemic Writings 258 Canonical Works 261 Hagiographical Writing 263 The Vitae 290 Poems and Liturgical Writings 323 6 Conclusions and The Methodian Legacy 357 Epilogue 362 Appendix I 363 Appendix II - List of Figures 365 List of Patriarchs, Popes and Emperors 366 Bibliography 368 v List of figures Figure 1: - The Icon of the First Sunday of Orthodoxy iii Figure 2: - Sts. Nikephoros and Theodore Reconciled Emperor Theophilos and Iconoclasts 56 Figure 3: - John the Grammarian Whitewashing Icon of Christ 61 Figure 4: - Map of Constantinople 71 Figure 5: - St. Sophia Cathedral 80 Figure 6: - Map of Balkan Peninsula 90 Figure 7: - Map of Asia Minor 356 Figure 8: - Methodios the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople 361 vi Declaration I confirm that no part of the material offered has previously been submitted by for a degree in this or in any other University. Signed: P4/^. Date: X_ & \ DECLARATION AND COPYRIGHT STATEMENT The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without his prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many individuals have assisted the production of this thesis. The help and encouragement I received are greatly appreciated and are here acknowledged. I cannot thank all personally but do wish to recognise some at this time. Rev. Dr. George Dragas of Hellenic College/Holy Cross began my voyage of discovery on St. Methodios. The following people all aided in the research and the gathering of materials: Dr. Alexander Alexakis, Ms. Katerina Andriopoulou, Ria Bithos, Dr. Annmarie Weyl Carr, Moschos Goutsioudis, Hieromonachos Gregor, Toula Maniaki, George and Anastasia Metallidis, loanni Panagiotopoulos, Andrew Pantos, Mariana Stamatelatos, Nicholas Toutos, and Rev. Dr. Gregory Woolfenden. My special thanks go to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for his support and prayers. A few people have been at my side and inspired me throughout this entire process. I offer my thanks to Dr. Carol Harrison for her help and encouragement. Most especially to my supervisor and friend, Professor Andrew Louth my heartfelt thanks and gratitude for his insight, guidance and assistance. Lastly and most importantly, to my family, Presbytera Penny, Olga, Betty, Peter, Nicole and Katina, this effort would not have been possible without their love, support and caring. Thank you. viii DEDICATION In the service of betrothal in the Orthodox Church the Church prays: That He send down upon them love perfect and peaceful, and give them His protection; Let us pray to the Lord. To my wife, Ria You have been my strength, my cheer and my heart. This effort is as much yours as it is mine. May God grant us His blessings always. I dedicate this and all my works to you. ix IN MEMORIAM This work is written in loving memory of my father + Fr. Peter George Bithos (1919 - 1978) my first and most enduring teacher in the faith. As thou did appoint him to be a minister of thy Church on earth, so also do thou make him the same at thy heavenly altar, O Lord. x Introduction Methodios I, a scholar, a monastic, a confessor for the faith and Patriarch of Constantinople (843-847) is a figure wrapped in the clouds of time. Iconoclasm, the eighth and ninth century crisis that dominated Byzantium, affected not only the history of the Eastern Empire, but also that of the entire Christian Church. It is the intent of this study not only to analyse Methodios as a person in history, but also as a Church leader with true depth of conviction. It will be demonstrated that he had a sense of his place within the Tradition of the Church and a fierce determination to end the threat of the heresy of iconoclasm. Methodios will be examined in the light of the words of his contemporaries, his own works, which include hagiographic compositions, historical correspondences, liturgical and polemic writings and the historic record. The complex relationships and resultant power struggles between the various participants in the resolution of the iconoclastic controversy will feature significantly in the discussion. Narrowing the research on the significance of the resolution of the struggle can yield historic insight to the present practices and theology of the Orthodox Church. In addition, the divergence of understanding between Western and Eastern branches of Christianity, which was a by-product of iconoclasm, will be assessed. Three conclusions will be presented in this work. First, who had a legitimate claim to the mantle of victory over iconoclasm? Secondly, what were the principles and motives that directed the actions of Methodios? Lastly, what was the legacy and conclusions drawn from the life of Patriarch Methodios I of Constantinople? Above, the phrase "wrapped in the clouds of time" is used to describe Patriarch Methodios I of Constantinople. Is this an accurate characterisation? The answer is both yes and no, simultaneously. The Orthodox Church remembers him on the Feast day of his falling asleep in the Lord, the 14th of June. The Church celebrates him as a saint and lauds him with these words from the Vespers of his Feast: Today, the Church of God is clothed for a feast and joyously cries aloud, 'My beauty shines more brightly than any city: behold the treasure of hierarchs, the glorious Methodios arrives in heaven!' Come feast-lovers! All you orthodox Christians gather together! Let us draw near healing in abundance from the holy relics, and let us entreat Christ our God to deliver the world from all heresy! 1 1 MHNAIA - Liturgical Books of the Months, (1995) (Sophia Press), Newton Centre, MA, p.