Editing Epiphanius of Constantinople

{{Short description|Patriarch of Constantinople from 520 to 535}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox patriarch
| name             = Epiphanius of Constantinople
| patriarch_of     = [[List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]
| image            = 
| caption          = 
| ordination       = 
| consecration     = 
| enthroned        = 25 February 520
| ended            = 5 June 535
| province         = 
| diocese          = 
| see              = 
| church           = 
| predecessor      = [[John Cappadocia]]
| successor        = [[Anthimus I of Constantinople]]
| birth_name       = 
| birth_date       = 
| birth_place      = 
| death_date       = 5 June 535
| death_place      = 
| buried           = 
| nationality      = 
| religion         = [[Chalcedonian Christianity]]
}}

'''Epiphanius of Constantinople''' (also ''Epiphanios''; {{langx|el|Ἐπιφάνιος}}; died 5 June 535) was the [[list of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|patriarch of Constantinople]] from 25 February 520 to 5 June 535, succeeding [[John Cappadocia]].

== Biography ==
The [[Byzantine Empire]] experienced a period of significant growth and success due to the military victories achieved by its generals, [[Belisarius]] and [[Narses]]. As part of the empire's religious policies, efforts were made to suppress [[idolatry]], leading to the burning of pagan books, destruction of images, and imprisonment and flogging of adherents of the [[Paganism|old religion]]. During the patriarchate of Epiphanius in [[Constantinople]], Emperor [[Justinian I]] demonstrated his strong commitment to church affairs through the introduction of laws regulating episcopal elections and duties. These enactments, along with the compliance of Epiphanius and his clergy, indicate the absence of exclusive clerical legislation for spiritual matters at that time.{{sfn|Sinclair|1911}}

Epiphanius initially held the position of overseeing the [[catechumen]]s in Constantinople. In 519, a year prior to his election, he was sent, along with John Cappadocia and count Licinius, to [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] to collect documents known as "libellos" or subscriptions from those seeking reunification with the [[Catholic Church]], upon the request of Dorotheus, [[Metropolis of Thessaloniki|bishop of Thessalonica]]'s [[apocrisiarius]].{{sfn|Sinclair|1911}}

On 25 February 520, Epiphanius was elected bishop by [[Byzantine Emperor|Emperor]] [[Justin I]], with the consent of bishops, monks, and the people. In a letter from the synod of Constantinople to [[Pope Hormisdas]], Epiphanius is described as someone who held the correct faith and exhibited a fatherly concern for orphans.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|1911}} cites Patr. Lat., lxiii, 483.</ref>

Epiphanius accepted the peace conditions previously established between the East and West by his predecessor, Patriarch John Cappadocia, and Pope Hormisdas, and ratified them at a council held in Constantinople. At the same council, he also affirmed the [[Council of Chalcedon|decrees of Chalcedon]]. [[Antipope Dioscorus]], the representative of Pope Hormisdas in Constantinople, noted Epiphanius's promising words but remained uncertain about his ability to fulfill them, as he had not yet requested communion with the pope.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|1911}} cites Patr. Lat., 482.</ref> Four letters from Epiphanius to Hormisdas have survived, in which he informs the pope of his election, sends him his creed, and declares his condemnation of those whose names the pope had forbidden to be mentioned in the diptychs.{{sfn|Sinclair|1911}}

Epiphanius adhered to the symbols of [[First Council of Nicaea|Nicaea]], the decrees of [[First Council of Ephesus|Ephesus]], [[First Council of Constantinople|Constantinople]], and [[Chalcedon]], as well as the letters of [[Pope Leo I]] in defense of the faith. Accompanying his second letter to the pope were several gifts, including a gold [[chalice]] adorned with precious stones, a gold [[patina]], a silver chalice, and two silk veils, which he presented to the Roman church. In his effort to ensure widespread peace, he advised the pope to show leniency in removing the names of former bishops from the [[diptych]]s. His excuse for the bishops of [[Pontus (region)|Pontus]], [[Asia]], and the East was expressed in eloquent language. The responses from Hormisdas can be found in the Acts of the Council of Constantinople held under [[Menas of Constantinople]], where he expresses trust in Epiphanius's prudence and experience and recommends leniency towards those who are returning while advocating for severity towards the obstinate. Epiphanius was tasked with finalizing the reunification process himself.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|1911}} cites [[Philippe Labbe]], ''Council'', iv, 1534, 1537, 1545, 1546, 1555, ed. 1671; ''Patr. Lat.'', lxiii, 497, 507, 523.</ref>

The strict measures implemented by Emperor Justin to establish Catholic supremacy in the East provoked [[Theodoric the Great]], the [[Arianism|Arian]] and [[Ostrogoths|Ostrogothic]] ruler of [[Ostrogothic Kingdom|Italy]], to retaliate in the West. [[Pope John I]], who succeeded Hormisdas, became concerned, and in 525, he traveled to Constantinople in response to Theodoric's demands to revoke the edict against the Arians and restore their churches (according to [[Marcellinus Comes]]).<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|1911}} cites ''Chron. ann.'', 525; [[Philippe Labbe]], ''Council'', iv, 1600.</ref>

Pope John I received great honor during his visit to the Eastern capital. The people greeted him twelve miles outside the city, carrying ceremonial tapers and crosses. Emperor Justin prostrated himself before the pope and expressed a desire to be crowned by his hand. Patriarch Epiphanius invited the Pope to celebrate Mass, but due the traditional policy of encroachment, the Pope refused to proceed until he was offered the primary seat. With great solemnity, the Pope conducted the Latin office on [[Easter|Easter Day]], communing with all the bishops of the East except for Patriarch [[Timothy IV of Alexandria]], a staunch opponent of Chalcedon.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|1911}} cites Baron, 525, 8, 10; [[Antoine Pagi]], ix, 349, 351; AA. SS. 27 May; [[Johann Matthias Schröckh]], xvi, 102, xviii, 214–215; [[Edward Gibbon]], iii, 473; [[Henry Hart Milman]], Lat. Christ. i, 302.</ref>

In 531, the dispute between Rome and Constantinople was reignited by the appeal of Stephen, the [[Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos|metropolitan of Larissa]], to [[Pope Boniface II]], contesting a decision made by Epiphanius. Despite Stephen's appeal, he was eventually deposed.{{sfn|Sinclair|1911}}

Epiphanius died after an episcopate of 15 years and 3 months.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|1911}} cites [[Theophanes the Confessor]] anno 529.</ref> The information available about him portrays him in a positive light. In addition to his letters to Hormisdas, we also have records of the council's ruling against [[Severus of Antioch]] and [[Peter III of Alexandria]].<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|1911}} cites [[Patrologia Graeca]] lxxxvi, 783–786.</ref> Epiphanius is attributed with forty-five canons.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|1911}} cites [[Giuseppe Simone Assemani]], ''Bibl. Orient.'', 619.</ref>

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Attribution ===
* {{DCBL|first=W. M.|last=Sinclair|wstitle=Epiphanius, patriarch of Constantinople}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-rel|chal}}
{{Succession box
| before = [[John of Cappadocia]]
| title  = [[List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]
| years  = 520 – 535
| after  = [[Anthimus I of Constantinople|Anthimus I]]
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Patriarchs of Constantinople}}

{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Epiphanius of Constantinople}}
[[Category:6th-century patriarchs of Constantinople]]
[[Category:535 deaths]]
[[Category:Christian anti-Gnosticism]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Justinian I]]
[[Category:6th-century Byzantine writers]]