Timothy I of Constantinople facts for kids

Timothy I, also known as Timotheus I (in Greek: Τιμόθεος), was an important Christian leader. He became the Patriarch of Constantinople in 511 AD. This was a very powerful religious position, similar to a modern-day archbishop or head of a major church. He was chosen for this role by the Byzantine emperor Anastasius I. Timothy I served as Patriarch until his death on April 1, 518 AD.

Timothy's Early Life and Role

Before becoming Patriarch, Timothy was a Christian priest. He worked at the main cathedral, where he was in charge of the church's special items and decorations.

Timothy is known for suggesting two new practices in church services. One was adding special prayers on Good Friday at the church of the Virgin Mary. The other was having the Nicene Creed recited at every service. The Nicene Creed is an important statement of Christian beliefs. However, another leader named Peter the Fuller is also sometimes given credit for this second change.

Some historians, like F. H. Blackburne Daniel, believed Timothy might have changed his religious views for personal gain. They thought he adopted certain beliefs, known as Non-Chalcedonian doctrines, because it would help him advance, not because he truly believed them.

Becoming Patriarch of Constantinople

Timothy was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople by the Roman Emperor Anastasius I in 511 AD. This happened just one day after the previous patriarch, Macedonius, was removed from his position.

After becoming Patriarch, Timothy sent official letters to all the bishops. He asked them to agree to the removal of Macedonius. Some bishops agreed completely, while others did not agree at all. Some signed the letters but still refused to agree to Macedonius's removal.

At first, some Christian leaders who held different views, like John Niciota, the Patriarch of Alexandria, did not fully support Timothy. This was because Timothy accepted a document called the Henotikon but did not completely reject the Council of Chalcedon. The Council of Chalcedon was a very important meeting that defined key Christian beliefs. For the same reason, Flavian II of Antioch and Elias of Jerusalem initially communicated with Timothy.

Challenges and Changes

When Severus of Antioch became the Patriarch of Antioch, he gathered a group of church leaders for a meeting called a synod. This synod spoke out against the Council of Chalcedon. After this, Severus began to communicate with Timothy.

Timothy sent the decisions from Severus's synod to Jerusalem. However, Elias, the leader in Jerusalem, refused to accept them. Timothy then convinced Emperor Anastasius to remove Elias from his position.

Timothy also encouraged the emperor to treat badly the clergy (church leaders), monks, and regular church members who supported Macedonius. Many of these people were sent away to a distant desert area called the Oasis in the Thebaid. Timothy's representatives in Alexandria publicly spoke against the Council of Chalcedon from the church pulpit.

Within a year of becoming Patriarch, Timothy ordered a change to a church hymn called the Ter Sanctus. He added the words "Who was crucified for us." This change caused big problems and disturbances in two churches on November 4 and 5, where many people were hurt or killed. The next day, a terrible riot broke out, which almost led to Emperor Anastasius being removed from power.

Timothy I died on April 5, 517 AD.