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Photios remained silent during the reading of the many anathemas placed upon him at this false council. He "carried his cross" and endured with patience and humility. From exile, he wrote several books and commentaries and even hymns. By letter he continued to be a wonderful guide and teacher of the truth. Meanwhile, when Pope Hadrian learned that this council had given jurisdiction of Bulgaria to Constantinople, he sent threats of excommunication to Ignatios. Hadrian died towards the end of 872 and was replaced by Pope John VIII. This Pope picked up where Hadrian had left off and sent letters to Ignatios demanding that he remove his clergy from Bulgaria or else face excommunication, along with that of any of his clergy who refused to leave. In time, the silent rebuking of Photios' forbearance, chipped away at the conscience of both Ignatios and the emperor Basil, who eventually pulled Photios back out of exile. Their ties became close and Photios was even put in charge of the education of Basil's sons. Ignatios and Photios reconciled and became very close friends. After becoming ill and nearing his death, Ignatios made the suggestion to Basil of reinstating Photios as Patriarch. Three days after Ignatios died, Photios resumed his position. In 879, a council was held in the church of Agia Sophia which condemned the Western addition of the Filioque (which was agreed to by a Cardinal and two bishops sent as representatives of Rome). Pope John VIII wrote a letter recognizing the virtues and grace-filled wisdom of Photios. He called upon all to dispose of all previous actions of Rome against Photios. He rejected the council held by Pope Hadrian against Photios and considered that council nullified. While these actions by Pope John VIII and his bishops who also signed this letter were positive and headed back to the truth, he claimed that the authority to reverse these actions/council against Photios was afforded him due to his primacy over all of the churches. He stated that if Photios were to repent of his past, he would afford him absolution. Likewise, he tried to once again pull jurisdiction of Bulgaria from Byzantium and under his control. This letter by the Pope had been altered in its translation into the Greek which omitted things like the sovereignty of the Pope and the issue of Bulgaria. But Cardinal Peter, one of the Latin representatives, brought up the subject. The council rejected them both as not being part of the council for they were not in the letter read to them. Rather the council agreed that the Pope had no greater authority than any of the other patriarchs. While Pope John was not happy with the results of the council, he nonetheless recognized them as having been decided upon by the synod. Soon after, he sent a legate to Constantinople to again try to urge the reversal of those decisions that were contrary to his thought. On a good note, he did not argue in favor of the Filioque but rather condemned those who try to alter the original Creed that had been handed down by the Ecumenical Councils. On the other issues which the Pope was trying to persuade change in, nothing was altered. During his second reign, Photios encouraged the concept of Church and State working independently yet side by side, with the good of the people as their primary goal. Complete harmony between clergy and laity regarding things both worldly (via the emperor) and spiritual (via the patriarch). This was not the viewpoint of the new emperor, though. The next few years witnessed several different Popes. The issue of primacy continued to be argued. Photios continued to refute the heresy of the Filioque. He did so in a truthful manner, not attacking any one individual but rather the concept itself. He provided countless examples from Holy Scripture; the words of Christ himself; declarations of prophets; and also church doctrine -- based upon numerous Ecumenical Councils which had addressed the very subject. Upon the sudden death of Emperor Basil, his son, Leo took the throne. Despite having been educated by Photios and even saved by him, Leo had turned against Photios out of jealousy and fear. He brought false charges against Photios and wrote erroneous claims against Photios to the Pope. In a few months, Photios was deposed and exiled and Leo appointed his sixteen-year-old brother, Stephen, as the new Patriarch. His reign was short lived as he died at the age of twenty-three. He was succeeded by Anthony II, who was succeeded by Nicholas I. Photios, once again living in exile, bravely endured his trials, knowing full well the heavenly rewards that awaited him for his endurance. The servant of God, Photios, reposed on February 6, 891. He will forever be revered as a soldier of the faith who selflessly withstood many torments in order to preserve and defend the truth and welfare of the Church. Holy Photios, pray unto God for us that our souls be saved!
Troparia: O Shining beacon of wisdom |
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