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Hierarch5th century

Saint Maximian Patriarch of Constantinople

d. 434

Also known as Maximianus of Constantinople · Maximian, Archbishop of Constantinople

Maximian, born in Rome to wealthy and pious parents, lived an ascetic life and was ordained presbyter. He became Patriarch of Constantinople in 431 following the deposition of Nestorius, and governed the Church peaceably until his repose on April 21, 434.

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints Maximian, Patriarch of Constantinople

Life

Maximian was Patriarch of Constantinople from 431 to 434, elevated to the see in the aftermath of the Council of Ephesus and the deposition of Nestorius. Born in Rome to wealthy and devout parents, he led an ascetic life and was known for his learning, modesty, and charity before his ordination.

His brief tenure was largely occupied with restoring order and communion to a Church divided by the Nestorian controversy, and the sources remember him as a guileless man who governed peaceably until his repose.

Troparion1 hymnReadHide
TroparionTone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Maximian,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline4 momentsReadHide
  1. Before 431Ascetic life and ordinationBorn in Rome of wealthy and pious parents, Maximian pursued a monastic, ascetic manner of life apart from worldly affairs. He gained a reputation for sanctity in part by funding, at his own expense, tombs and burials for holy persons. He was ordained presbyter by Patriarch Sisinnius I of Constantinople.
  2. 25 October 431Elevation to the patriarchal throneFollowing the deposition of Nestorius by the Council of Ephesus, which had left the churches of Constantinople in confusion, Maximian was chosen after a period of deliberation and installed as Patriarch. His selection had the support of Emperor Theodosius II and the faithful, and Pope Celestine I wrote favorably on his elevation.
  3. 431–434Governance and reconciliationMaximian worked toward the reunion of the Church after the Nestorian schism, sending synodical letters seeking communion and encouraging Cyril of Alexandria to set aside obstacles to reconciliation. His patriarchate saw movement toward the reconciliation between Cyril of Alexandria and John of Antioch with the Eastern bishops.
  4. 21 April 434ReposeSaint Maximian reposed peacefully in office. The synaxarion places his death on April 21, 434, on Great and Holy Thursday; he was succeeded by Proclus.

Contributions & Legacy

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Historical Context

Maximian's accession came at a moment of acute crisis for the Church of Constantinople. The Council of Ephesus in 431 had condemned and deposed his predecessor Nestorius, whose teaching on the person of Christ had provoked a wide schism, and the capital's churches were in disorder.

In his administration the sources align him with his predecessors John Chrysostom, Atticus, and Sisinnius I, and emphasize his efforts to heal the breach with the Eastern bishops led by John of Antioch. Of his correspondence, his letters to Saint Cyril of Alexandria are reported to survive.

Companions2 figuresShowHide
Contemporary; Maximian corresponded with Cyril and encouraged him to set aside obstacles to reconciliation with the Eastern bishops after the Council of Ephesus. His letters to Cyril are reported to survive.
CyrilArchbishop of Alexandria
Ordaining hierarch; Sisinnius I of Constantinople ordained Maximian presbyter before Maximian's own elevation to the patriarchal throne.
Saints NectariusArsacius, and Sisinius, Patriarchs of Constantinople
Related Saints1 saintShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

Successor; Proclus succeeded Maximian as Patriarch of Constantinople upon his repose in 434.
Saint ProclusArchbishop of Constantinople

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints