Early in the ninth century Leo V the Armenian, an iconoclast, became emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire and renewed the persecutions against the [[iconodule]]s that included most of the monastic community. Patriarch [[Nicephorus I of Constantinople|Nicephorus I]] was deposed in 815 for resisting the iconoclastic laws and was banished from the city. Methodius apparently was sent as an envoy by Patr. Nicephorus to Rome in 815 to report on the situation to Pope Paschal. Methodius remained in Rome until the assassination of Emperor Leo in 820. Upon his return to Constantinople in 821, Methodius was arrested by the regime of the iconoclast Emperor Michael II, scourged, and sent into exile to Antigoni in Propontis. In 828, Methodius was released by Michael just before his death.

With the death of Theophilius, the situation changed greatly. The widow of Theophilius, Empress [[Theodora (9th century empress)|Theodora]], a strong defender of the veneration of icons, became regent for her son Michael III. She re-established the conditions of the [[Seventh Ecumenical Council]] of 787. Patriarch John VII, an iconoclast would not repent his [[heresy]] and was deposed. Methodius was elected in his place. He summoned a [[synod]] at Constantinople in 842 that confirmed the [[deposition]] of John VII and his succession.