Editing Theodore the Studite (section)

===Conflict with Constantine VI===
Also in 794, Emperor [[Constantine VI]] (r. 776–797) decided to separate from his first wife, [[Maria of Amnia]], and to marry Maria's ''kubikularia'' ([[Lady-in-waiting]]), [[Theodote (empress)|Theodote]], a cousin of Theodore the Studite.<ref>She was the daughter of Anna, a sister of Theoktiste. ({{harvnb|Pratsch|1998|pp=53, 83}})</ref> Although the Patriarch may initially have resisted this development, as a divorce without proof of adultery on the part of the wife could be construed as illegal, he ultimately gave way. The marriage of Constantine and Theodote was celebrated in 795, although not by the patriarch, as was normal, but by a certain Joseph, a priest of Hagia Sophia.<ref>{{harvnb|Pratsch|1998|pp=89–90}}.</ref>

A somewhat obscure chain of events followed (the so-called "Moechian controversy," from the Greek ''moichos'', "adulterer"), in which Theodore initiated a protest against the marriage from the Sakkudion Monastery, and appears to have demanded the excommunication, not only of the priest Joseph, but also of all who had received communion from him, which, as Joseph was a priest of the imperial church, included implicitly the emperor and his court.<ref>{{harvnb|Pratsch|1998|pp=98–101}}.</ref> This demand had no official weight, however, and Constantine appears to have attempted to make peace with Theodore and Platon (who, on account of his marriage, were now his relatives), inviting them to visit him during a sojourn at the imperial baths of Prusa in Bithynia. In the event neither appeared.<ref>{{harvnb|Pratsch|1998|pp=101–102}}.</ref>

As a result, imperial troops were sent to the Sakkudion Monastery, and the community was dispersed. Theodore was flogged, and, together with ten other monks, banished to Thessaloniki, while Platon was imprisoned in Constantinople.<ref>{{harvnb|Pratsch|1998|pp=107–110}}.</ref> The monks arrived in Thessaloniki in March 797, but did not remain for long; in August of the same year Constantine VI was blinded and overthrown, and his mother Irene, the new empress, lifted the exile.<ref>{{harvnb|Pratsch|1998|pp=110–113}}.</ref>