Authors
- Gusarova Svetlana V. Russian Federation Moscow region
Annotation
The article is devoted to the relations of the Patriarch of Constantinople Nicholas I Mystic (901–907; 920–925) with his allies from the clerical environment. The author analyzes the letters of the bishop and Byzantine chronicles and identifies allies and like-minded people of the patriarch among the clergy from among the addressees
of Nicholas Mystic. During difficult periods of the struggle of the secular authorities with Nicholas Mystikos, the latter relied on the support of the metropolitans loyal to him, to whom he felt a sense of friendship and personal affection. Among such clergy, the author especially highlights Photius of Heraclius and Gregory of Ephesus. These clergy defended the rightness of Patriarch Nicholas Mystic in the conflict with Leo VI (866–912) and fell into disgrace after the forcible removal of the Constantinople bishop from the see in 907. The experience of previous generations showed the importance of allies from among the clergy for the restoration of previously removed patriarchs to the see. The allies were part of the clerical party of the Nicolaitans and were necessary to Nicholas Mystikos not only for moral support, but also as a support for strengthening the political position during the period of the schism of the Church on the basis of the quadruple marriage of Emperor Leo VI. After being restored to the patriarchal rank in 912, Nicholas Mystic was able to expand the number of his supporters with the help of an effective internal church course. This made it possible to hold a Council in Constantinople in 920, which recognized the rightness of the patriarch in the conflict with Leo VI, and also proclaimed clerical unity within the Church in the Eastern Roman Empire.
How to link insert
Gusarova, S. V. (2026). THE RELATIONS OF PATRIARCH NICHOLAS I MYSTIC WITH HIS CLERICAL ALLIES DURING THE SCHISM OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE ON THE BASIS OF THE FOURTH MARRIAGE OF EMPEROR LEO VI Bulletin of the Moscow City Pedagogical University. Series "Pedagogy and Psychology", № 1 (61), 118. https://doi.org/10.24412/2076-9105-2026-161-118-128
References
1.
1. Gusarova S. V. Election of Nicholas Mystic (901–907; 912–925) as Patriarch of Constantinople // Locus: People, Society, Culture, Meanings. 2025. Vol. 16. № 3. P. 37–45. (In Russ). https://doi.org/10.31862/2500-2988-2024-16-3-37-45
2.
2. Gusarova S. V. Canonical aspects of the conflict that arose between Patriarch Nicholas Mystic and Emperor Leo VI on the basis of the fourth marriage // Ancient World: History and archaeology: collection of scientific articles / executive editor F. A. Mikhailovsky; compilation and general editorship by Yu. V. Kulikov. Moscow: MPGU Press, 2022. P. 251–258. (In Russ.).
3.
3. Gusarova S. V. Reflection of the idea of the symphony of authorities in the policy of patriarch Nicholas Mysticos of Constantinople and emperor Roman Lakapin // Semenov readings: Proceedings of the XIII All-Russian Scientific Conference with International Participation in memory of V. F. Semenov (Moscow, March 25, 2023) / edited by T. N. Loshchilova and E. S. Nosova. Moscow MPGU Press, 2024. P. 81–87. (In Russ.).
4.
4. Gusarova S. V. Nicolai Mystique’s ethical views as a means of peace establishing between Byzantium and Bulgaria // Semenov readings. Proceedings of the 11th All-Russian Scientific Conference with international participation in memory of professor V. F. Semenov / edited by T. N. Loshchilova and E. S. Nosova. 2nd edition. Moscow: MPGU, 2019. P. 203–206. (In Russ.).
5.
5. Dagron J. Emperor and priest: A study of Byzantine caesaropapism / translated and edited by A. E. Musin. St. Petersburg: Faculty of Philology of St. Petersburg State University; Nestor-History, 2010. 480 p. (In Russ).
6.
6. Kazantsev D. A. Symphony or caesaropapism: The role of the church in the political life of Byzantium and Ancient Russia // State and Law. 2017. № 3. P. 88–96. (In Russ).
7.
7. Kostogryzova L. Yu. Evolution of family law in Byzantium in the 6th–15th centuries // Russian Juridical Journal. 2014. № 2 (95). P. 168–180. (In Russ.).
8.
8. Kuzenkov P. V. The canonical status of Constantinople and its interpretation in Byzantium // Vestnik Pravoslavnogo Sviato-Tikhonovskogo gumanitarnogo universiteta. Seriia I: Bogoslovie. Filosofiia. 2014. № 3 (53). P. 25–51. (In Russ.).
9.
9. Lagunov A. A. Symphony of authorities: The unattainable reality of an ideal // Khristianskoye chteniye [Christian Reading]: Scientific Journal Saint Petersburg Theological Academy Russian Orthodox Church. 2020. № 2. P. 134–142. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24411/1814-5574-2020-10032
10.
10. Silvestrova E. V. Roman law and Byzantine family law: concluding a valid marriage according to Proсhiron // Economics, law, and power in the ancient world. Dedicated to the memory of V. I. Kuzishchin / ed. by S. Y. Saprykin, I. A. Gvozdeva. St. Petersburg: Aleteya, 2021. P. 418–432. (Proceedings of the Moscow State University Faculty of History. Issue 187. Series II: Historical Research, 122). (In Russ.).
11.
11. Corpus fontium historiae byzantinae: Consilio societatis internationalis studiis byzantinis provehendis destinatae editum. Vol. 6: Letters / Nicholas I Patriarch of Constantinople; Greek text and Engl. transl. by R. J. H. Jenkins and L. G. Westerink. Washington: Center for Byzantine studies trustees for Harvard University, 1973. 664 р.