Saint Gennadius of Constantinople

Gennadius of Constantinople (Greek: Γεννάδιος; died 17 November 471) was the patriarch of Constantinople from August 458 until his death. Gennadius is known to have been a learned writer who followed the School of Antioch of literal exegesis, although few writings have been left about him. He is commemorated in the Eastern Orthodox Church on 17 November but is not listed in the Roman Martyrology. His first public writing was quoted by Facundus (Defensio, II, iv) against Cyril of Alexandria in two works, probably in 431 or 432, including a passage to show that his work was more violent even than the letter of Ibas. The 12 Anathemas of Saint Cyril and Two Books to Parthenius were criticised. In the latter he exclaims, "How many times have I heard blasphemies from Cyril of Alexandria? Woe to the scourge of Alexandria!". In 433 Gennadius probably reconciled with Cyril. If Cyril's letter of 434 (Ep. lvi) is to the same Gennadius, they were friends in that year. Gennadius was a presbyter at Constantinople when he succeeded Anatolius of Constantinople in 458 as the Bishop of Constantinople. From the beginning of his episcopate Gennadius proved his zeal for the Christian faith and the maintenance of discipline. His discretion was before long tested. Timothy II of Alexandria, the monophysite who made himself the Patriarch of Alexandria and was later chased from the Patriarchate by order of the Roman emperor, had obtained leave to come to Constantinople, intending to re-establish himself on his throne. On 17 June 460, Pope Leo I warned Gennadius (Ep. clxx) against Timothy II, and urged him to prevent the voyage of Timothy II and to secure the immediate consecration of an Orthodox Patriarch for Alexandria. Timothy II was banished to the Chersonese, and Timothy Salophakiolos was chosen bishop of Alexandria in his stead.