Saint Cosmas I of Constantinople

Cosmas I of Constantinople (Greek: Κοσμᾶς Α΄; died c. 1082), also referred to as Cosmas the Jerusalemite in Greek (Κοσμάς Ιεροσολυμίτης) was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 2 August 1075 to 8 May 1081. Originally from Antioch, Cosmas was educated and resided in Jerusalem for a large part of his life, earning his geographic epithet. He may have been appointed to the patriarchate out of a monastery near or in Jerusalem. He crowned the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates. He disapproved of Nikephoros' marriage to the ex-wife of the previous Emperor Michael VII Doukas but took no further action than degrading the priest who performed the service. Later he used his influence to try to convince him to resign as his popularity declined and the empire entered a period of instability. Cosmas I likewise crowned by Emperor Alexios I Komnenos in 1081. When Alexios I attempted to repudiate his wife Irene Doukaina to marry the ex-empress Maria of Alania, Cosmas I successfully blocked the move as she had already been twice married. Cosmas I resigned or was forced out soon after, as Alexios I's mother, Anna Dalassene, disliked Irene's link to the Doukas family and resented this interference. She further pressed for the resignation as she wished to place her favourite on the patriarchal throne, which she achieved with the appointment of the ill-educated Eustratius Garidas. According to Anna Komnene, Cosmas I resigned voluntarily on the condition that he be allowed to crown Irene Doukaina empress first, which he did and then left. The most important synodal action taken by Cosmas I was the condemnation, in 1076–1077, of certain heretical views taken by John Italus, a scholar connected to the Doukas family.