Patriarch Antony II of Constantinople
Encyclopedia
Antony II Kauleas was Patriarch of Constantinople
from 893 to February 12, 901.
, the all-powerful minister of Emperor Leo VI
. Antony had supported Leo against the former Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople
, and had contributed to the pacification of the Church by effecting a compromise between the supporters of Photios and Ignatios
. The emperor appointed Antony patriarch after the death of his own brother, Patriarch Stephen I of Constantinople
in 893.
Patriarch Antony II was a pious man who generously endowed monastic foundations and founded or re-founded the Kaulea monastery with the support of the emperor, who preached at the church's dedication. Buried in the church of his monastery, Antony was held responsible for various miracles. He was canonized as a saint by both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches and he is commemorated on February 12.
Patriarch of Constantinople
The Ecumenical Patriarch is the Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome – ranking as primus inter pares in the Eastern Orthodox communion, which is seen by followers as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church....
from 893 to February 12, 901.
Life
A monk by age 12, Antony Kauleas became a priest and the abbot of an unnamed monastery. He came to the attention of Stylianos ZaoutzesStylianos Zaoutzes
Stylianos Zaoutzes was a high Byzantine official of Armenian origin. Rising to high rank under Byzantine emperor Basil I , he then rose further to prominence under Basil's successor Emperor Leo VI the Wise , who had a close friendship and possible an affair with Stylianos's daughter Zoe Zaoutzaina...
, the all-powerful minister of Emperor Leo VI
Leo VI the Wise
Leo VI, surnamed the Wise or the Philosopher , was Byzantine emperor from 886 to 912. The second ruler of the Macedonian dynasty , he was very well-read, leading to his surname...
. Antony had supported Leo against the former Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople
Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople
Photios I , also spelled Photius or Fotios, was the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 858 to 867 and from 877 to 886. He is recognized in the Eastern Orthodox churches as St...
, and had contributed to the pacification of the Church by effecting a compromise between the supporters of Photios and Ignatios
Patriarch Ignatios of Constantinople
St. Ignatius or Ignatios , Patriarch of Constantinople from July 4, 847 to October 23, 858 and from November 23, 867 to his death on October 23, 877...
. The emperor appointed Antony patriarch after the death of his own brother, Patriarch Stephen I of Constantinople
Patriarch Stephen I of Constantinople
Stephen I was the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 886 to 893.Stephen was the son of Eudokia Ingerina and, officially, Emperor Basil I. However, at the time when he was conceived, Eudokia was the mistress of Emperor Michael III...
in 893.
Patriarch Antony II was a pious man who generously endowed monastic foundations and founded or re-founded the Kaulea monastery with the support of the emperor, who preached at the church's dedication. Buried in the church of his monastery, Antony was held responsible for various miracles. He was canonized as a saint by both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches and he is commemorated on February 12.