Nicholas I
Pope who refused to recognize Photius as patriarch of Constantinople, declared him deposed, and answered the Bulgarian ruler’s questions in a bid to bring the new Bulgarian church under Rome.
Nicholas held that the Roman see had the right to judge the dispute over the see of Constantinople. A synod under him stripped Photius of priestly office, punished the legates who had sided with him and upheld Ignatius of Constantinople (Nicholas I, Letters, 91 (13 November 866), pp. 517–520). In 866 he answered the questions of the newly baptized Bulgarian ruler and told him that Constantinople was a patriarchate by imperial favour and not by apostolic foundation (Nicholas I, Responses to the Bulgars 72; 92). A letter of 23 October 867 lists the charges the Greeks were now bringing against Latin practice and teaching (Nicholas I, Letters, 100 (23 October 867)).
The council of 869–870 praised him and likened his sentence on Photius to Peter’s judgement on Ananias (Council of Constantinople (869–870), definition). See the Photian Schism.
In the timeline
- AD 863 to AD 867, estimated dateThe Photian Schism
Pope Nicholas I refuses to recognize Photius as patriarch of Constantinople and declares him deposed; Photius denounces Latin teaching in Bulgaria, the filioque above all, and his council condemns the pope. The breach is healed, but its arguments return.
- AD 864–866, estimated dateThe Baptism of Boris and the Conversion of Bulgaria
Boris, ruler of the Bulgars, accepts baptism from Constantinople and takes the name Michael. He puts down a revolt of his nobles, then asks the pope for bishops, and his country becomes a prize in the quarrel between Rome and Constantinople.
Primary sources
Responses to the Questions of the Bulgars
- Nicholas I, Responses to the Bulgars 72; 92sourcebooks.fordham.edu