Abstrakt
St. Photios was born in Constantinople to parents who both belonged to the most prominent families of Byzantium.
Photios received an excellent and perfect education. Much against his will he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople.
In 863 he participated in sending the Thessalonian Brothers Constantine - Cyril and Methodios to Great Moravia. In 866 he wrote his famous encyclical to the Eastern Bishops.
In cooperation with the government, St. Photios convoked a Synod at Constantinople in the year 879.
This Synod is by some authorities considered to be the 8th Ecumenical Council. St.
Photios died about the year 891 and the Orthodox Church soon numbered him among its saints. His memory is celebrated on February the 6/19th.