Anthony I (Kassymatas) of Constantinople
Antony I Kassymatas of Constantinople, (Greek: Αντώνιος Α΄ Κασσυματάς) was the patriarch of Constantinople from 821 to 836. He allegedly became an Iconoclast to further his desire to be patriarch during the time of the Iconoclast emperors in Constantinople.
Life
Antony's early life is unknown. He may have been born in Syllaion.[1] While he obtained a good education, his background was undistinguished. He was initially a lawyer in Constantinople about the year 800, who later entered a monastic life and advanced to the position of abbot. By 814, Antony had become the bishop of Syllaion in Anatolia.
In 815, after emperor Leo V the Armenian re-instituted Iconoclasm, Antony, who had supported the veneration of images, became an iconoclast allegedly to enhance his chances of becoming patriarch. As an iconoclast, Antony was appointed a member of the committee headed by Patriarch John Grammaticus to establish patristic support for iconoclasm. On Christmas day 820, emperor Leo V was murdered in the cathedral Hagia Sophia by Michael the Amorian and his supporters. Michael was immediately proclaimed emperor as Michael II.
In 821, Antony was appointed patriarch of Constantinople by emperor Michael II to the disappointment of the monks of the Studion Monastery who were looking for the restoration of the icons. After Thomas the Slav successfully overthrew Michael and the Patriarch of Antioch Job I crowned the iconodule Thomas basileus of the Romans in 822, Antony excommunicated Job.
Patr. Antony I died in late 836. According to iconodule historians, his death came from a wasting disease brought on as divine punishment for his participation in Iconoclast councils. Antony was later anathematized by a synod.
Reference
- ↑ Kazhdan, Alexander, ed (1991). Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. Oxford University Press. p. 1980. ISBN 978-0-19-504652-6
| Anthony I (Kassymatas) of Constantinople | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: ? |
Bishop of Syllaion 814-821 |
Succeeded by: ? |
| Preceded by: Theodotus I Cassiteras |
Patriarch of Constantinople 821-836 |
Succeeded by: John VII Grammaticus |
Sources
Categories > People > Clergy > Bishops
Categories > People > Clergy > Bishops
Categories > People > Clergy > Bishops > Bishops by century > 9th-century bishops
Categories > People > Clergy > Bishops > Bishops by city > Patriarchs of Constantinople
