View source for Cosmas I of Constantinople

'''Cosmas I''' was the Patriarch of Constantinople from 1075 to 1081. Patr. Cosmas was much revered but served during a period of contentious dynasties.

Patr. Cosmas was born in Syria at a date that is not known. He entered the [[monasticism|monastic life]] in Jerusalem before traveling the Constantinople where he entered the [[Monastery]] of Chora. He was elected [[patriarch]] in 1075, succeeding John VIII. 

In 1078, Patr. Cosmas crowned emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates in the [[Cathedral]] of [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]]. Later, Patr. Cosmas used his influence to convince the emperor to resign as the emperor's popularity declined and he came under pressure to abdicate in favor of the Comneni family. 

After the ascension of Alexius I Comnenos as emperor, the Comneni wanted [[Eustratius Garidas of Constantinople|Eustratius Garidas]], a personal friend of the emperor's mother Anna Dalassena, as the patriarch. However, Patr. Cosmas refused to resign as patriarch until he personally crowned as Augusta Irene the wife of emperor Alexius. 

In 1081, after Augusta Irene was crowned, Patr. Cosmas resigned and retired to the Monastery of Callias. The date of his repose is not known.

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{{succession|
before=John VIII|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]|
years=1075&ndash;1081|
after=[[Eustratius Garidas of Constantinople|Eustratius Garidas]]}}
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