Metrophanes of Byzantium

Metrophanes of Byzantium (Greek: Μητροφάνης; died 314) was bishop of Byzantium from Template:Circa 306 to 314. He was, according to tradition, the 26th bishop<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> and is the first bishop mentioned by contemporary sources.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In fact, there is no contemporary mention of an organized Christian community in Byzantium before him.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

There is a tradition that the Roman emperor Constantine the Great bestowed upon him the honorary title of Patriarch; however, Byzantium did not become the capital of the Empire until 330 (when it was renamed Constantinople), and the see was not elevated to a patriarchate until 451. According to Gelasius of Cyzicus, Metrophanes was alive during the First Council of Nicaea (325), but could not partake due to his age and ill health, so he sent instead Alexander of Constantinople, whom he destined as his successor.<ref name=":0" /> Metrophanes was most likely already dead by then.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Socrates of Constantinople writes that Alexander of Constantinople succeeded Metrophanes sometime before 319.<ref>Socrates of Constantinople, Historia Ecclesiastica, I, 37 "The thirtieth year of Constantine's reign was completed... At that time that Alexander, who had some time before succeeded Metrophanes, presided over the church at Constantinople".</ref>

Metrophanes has been canonised saint and is revered in both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. His feast day is 4 June.

His father was Dometius of Byzantium, his uncle was Roman emperor Probus, and his brother Probus of Byzantium. Both were also appointed Bishops of Byzantium before him.<ref>Bishops/Patriarchs of Constantinople Byzantine Studies Page, Fordham University.</ref>

See also

• Metrophanes of Smyrna

External links

• St Metrophanes the first Patriarch of Constantinople

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