Our Holy Father Metrophanes: First Patriarch of Constantinople Emperor Constantine the Great fondly respected Metrophanes, bishop of Byzantium, and as regarded him as his spiritual father. Because Metrophanes was in ill health (being well over a hundred years of age), he was unable to participate in the First Ecumenical Council which was held at Nicea in the year 325 A.D., but instead sent his Chor-bishop (Choriepiscopus) Alexander, as his representative. At the Council, Constantine conferred upon Metrophanes the title of Patriarch. He was thus the first Patriarch of Constantinople. Constantine had the Fathers of the Ecumenical Council visit the holy and aged patriarch. In their presence Metrophanes held the hand of Athanasius, Archdeacon of Alexandria, [later known as Athanasius the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria] and praised his efforts to expose the false teaching (arianism) of the arch-heretic Arius. Arius denied that the Son of God was truly God. The holy patriarch named Alexander of Alexandria to be his successor at Constantinople. After asking the forgiveness of all he may have ever offended, Metrophanes fell asleep in the Lord a few days later. (325 A.D.)TROPARION, tone 4: The sincerity of your deeds has revealed you to your people as a teacher of moderation, a model of faith, and an example of virtue. Therefore, you attained greatness through humility, and wealth through poverty. O Father and Archbishop Metrophanes, ask Christ our God to save our souls.
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