- Source: Metrophanes of Byzantium
Saint Metrophanes (Greek: Μητροφάνης; died 314) was the 26h bishop of Byzantium according to tradition, holding the office from c. 306 to 314. He is the first bishop supported by historical sources. In fact, there is no mention of any organized Christian community in Byzantium before him.
There is a tradition that the Emperor Constantine I 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 Ecumenical Council (325), but could not partake due to his age and ill health, so he sent instead Alexander, whom he destined as his successor. Metrophanes was most likely already dead by then. Socrates writes that Alexander succeeded Metrophanes sometime before 319.
Metrophanes has been canonized a saint, and is revered in both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. His feast day is June 4.
His father was Dometius and his brother Probus. Both were also appointed Bishops of Byzantium before him.
See also
Metrophanes of Smyrna
References
External links
St Metrophanes the first Patriarch of Constantinople.