Council of Constantinople (861)

[1] Several dogmatic, ecclesiological and liturgical questions were also discussed, and seventeen canons were produced.

In 860, Eastern Roman Emperor Michael III (842-867) and Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople decided to convene a major church council in order to resolve several doctrinal, ecclesiological and liturgical questions.

Papal legates, bishops Radoald of Porto and Zachary of Anagni, were well-received in Constantinople, and soon upon their arrival the Council was convened in the spring of 861.

Among major issues discussed at the Council, the most significant were various questions regarding earlier (858) deposition of former Patriarch Ignatius of Constantinople, and in connection with that the questions regarding canonical validity of appointment and speedy promotion of his successor, Patriarch Photios.

After extensive deliberation, the Council confirmed the validity of earlier deposition of Ignatius and election of Photios.