A humble monk who became Bishop of Constantinople, Saint Tryphon was the victim of a political ruse in 945. Deceived by Theophanes of Caesarea, he signed a blank paper to prove he could write, a document the emperor used to simulate his resignation. He spent his final days peacefully in a monastery.
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SAINT TRYPHON, BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE (945).
The tormented see of Constantinople
The text places Tryphon's election within the difficult context of the see of Constantinople, marked by numerous heresiarchs and the persecution of virtuous bishops.
There is no episcopal see in the world that has had worse bishops than Constantinople. Is it necessary to recall Nestorius, Eutyches, Macedonius—so many heresiarchs: Eusebius of Nicomedia, Photius, Cerularius, etc.? Those who were Saints, Chrysostom, Flavian, etc., were inevitably persecuted. Saint Tryphon, whose me mory we celeb Saint Tryphon A humble monk who became Patriarch of Constantinople, victim of a political ruse. rate today, was a humble monk who was torn from his monastery to be raised to this cape of storms. Being virtuous, he was bound to displease the court. But they had nothing serious to bring forward against him. Here is the manner, quite worthy of the Greeks, in which they went about removing him. A courtier bishop, Theophanes of Caesarea, came t o find him and spoke Théophane de Césarée Courtier bishop who entrapped Saint Tryphon. to him as follows: "The emperor seeks your ruin, but does l'empereur Byzantine sovereign involved in the ousting of Tryphon (historically Romanos I Lekapenos). not know what to accuse you of. He has been led to believe that you are of such ignorance that you do not even know how to write. Come tomorrow to the council and prove the contrary to all your detractors." Tryphon, who had the simplicity of the dove and not the prudence of the serpent, went to the palace the next day. "Trace for us," they said to him, "your name and titles on this sheet of paper." He did so in his finest hand, and the blank signature was immediately handed to the emperor, who wrote in his turn: "I, the undersigned, recognize myself as unworthy to occupy the see of Constantinople." The trick was played. This took place in 945. A successor was presented; but Rome Rome Birthplace of Maximian. refused to recognize him as long as Saint Tryphon was alive. The see was therefore vacant for more than two years, after which t le Pape The authority in Rome to whom Daguin is sent for absolution. he Pope admitted the new elect to his communion. Saint Tryphon ended his days in a monastery.
The elevation of a monk and the imperial ruse
A humble monk who became patriarch, Tryphon was the victim of a plot orchestrated by Bishop Theophanes of Caesarea, who abused his simplicity to make him sign an involuntary abdication.
AA. SS., 19 Apr. p. 624.
The arbitration of Rome and monastic retirement
After his forced deposition in 945, Rome initially refused to recognize his successor. Tryphon ended his days peacefully in a monastery.
There is no episcopal see in the world that has had worse bishops than Constantinople. Is it necessary to recall Nestorius, Eutyches, Macedonius—so many heresiarchs: Eusebius of Nicomedia, Photius, Cerularius, etc.? Those who were Saints, Chrysostom, Flavian, etc., were inevitably persecuted. Saint Tryphon, whose memory we celebrate today, was a humble monk who was torn from his monastery to be raised to this cape of storms. Being virtuous, he was bound to displease the court. But there was nothing serious to put forward against him. Here is the way, quite worthy of the Greeks, in which they went about removing him. A courtier bishop, Theophanes of Caesarea, came to find him and spoke to him as follows: "The emperor seeks your ruin, but does not know what to accuse you of. He has been led to believe that you are of such ignorance that you do not even know how to write. Come tomorrow to the council and prove the contrary to all your detractors." Tryphon, who had the simplicity of the dove and not the prudence of the serpent, went to the palace the next day. "Trace for us," they said to him, "your names and titles on this sheet of paper." He did so in his best hand, and the signed blank was immediately handed to the emperor, who wrote in his turn: "I, the undersigned, recognize myself as unworthy to occupy the see of Constantinople." The trick was played. This took place in 945. A successor was presented; but Rome refused to recognize him as long as Saint Tryphon was alive. The see was therefore vacant for more than two years, after which the Pope admitted the new elect to his communion. Saint Tryphon ended his days in a monastery.
AA. SS., 19 Apr. p. 624.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Monk in a monastery before his episcopate
- Elevation to the See of Constantinople
- Trapped by Theophanes of Caesarea with a blank check in 945
- Forced resignation by imperial ruse
- Retirement to a monastery until his death
Quotes
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I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I am unworthy to occupy the see of Constantinople
Text of the forced resignation cited in the account