Saint Eutychius of Constantinople

Biography

Saint Eutychius of Constantinople, also known as Eutichio, was born around the year 512 in Theion, Phrygia. He was the son of Alexander, a general in the imperial Byzantine army of Belisarius. At the age of 30, Eutychius became a monk at the monastery in Amasea, located in the region of Pontus, which is now modern-day Turkey. Eutychius dedicated himself to a life of prayer, contemplation, and asceticism in the monastic community. His dedication and holiness soon became evident, leading to his appointment as the Archimandrite of a monastery in Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. In 552, Eutychius was nominated by Justinian the Great and confirmed by Pope Vigilius to be the Patriarch of Constantinople, the highest-ranking bishop in the Eastern Orthodox Church. As the patriarch, Eutychius had a significant role in the church and played a crucial part in the theological controversies of his time. One notable event during his patriarchate was the council he called and led from 5 May to 2 June in 553. Alongside Apollinarius of Alexandria and Domnus III of Antioch, Eutychius dealt with the Three-Chapter Controversy, which centered around the condemnation of certain writings and the theological implications they carried. Eutychius composed a decree against these controversial chapters, contributing to the resolution of the theological dispute. Eutychius's tenure as Patriarch of Constantinople was not without challenges. In 564, he found himself in theological conflict with Emperor Justinian, who had started to believe the teachings of the Aphthartodocetae. This group propagated the belief that Jesus's body was incorruptible and not subject to pain, which implied that he was not fully human in addition to being fully God. Firmly rooted in orthodox Christian theology, Eutychius began speaking out against this heresy, both in public speeches and through writings. The emperor, however, took offense at Eutychius's opposition and ordered his arrest while celebrating Mass on 22 January 565. Justinian attempted to stage a trial for Eutychius, but the saint refused to cooperate with the emperor's aims, maintaining his loyalty to his faith and the Church's teachings. As a consequence, Eutychius was exiled for over 12 years. In October 577, with the support of Emperor Justin II, Eutychius was recalled from exile and reinstated as the patriarch of Constantinople. His return was met with great joy and celebration by the Christians of the city, who held festivals and banquets to welcome him. During his first Mass following his return, the Communion line lasted an impressive six hours, reflecting the deep respect and love the people had for their spiritual leader. Towards the end of his life, Eutychius became preoccupied with the belief that the return of Christ would be solely spiritual, with no physical aspect. This belief strayed into heretical territory, contradicting orthodox Christian teaching on the matter. However, he retracted this position and returned to the orthodox understanding before his passing. Saint Eutychius of Constantinople died on 6 April 582 in Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. His death was attributed to natural causes, and he was widely revered for his piety, courage, and unwavering faithfulness to the teachings of the Church. A biography of Saint Eutychius's life was written by his chaplain, Eustathius of Constantinople, which detailed his numerous contributions to the Church and the challenges he faced throughout his ministry. Although not officially recognized as a patron saint, Saint Eutychius's life serves as an inspiration to all those who face trials in defending their faith and upholding the truth of Christian doctrine. His feast day is commemorated on 6 April, although some calendars may observe it on 5 April.