About the year 1337, during the patriarchate of John XIV, a Calabrian monk, Barlaam of Seminara, who was the abbot of the Monastery of the Saint Savior in Chora, learned of the practice of hesychasm during a visit to Mount Athos.

Barlaam, trained in western scholastic theology, was scandalised and began to campaign against the practice and its advocate Gregory Palamas.

The dispute grew until 1341, when emperor Andronikos III, a supporter of Gregory Palamas, convened the Fifth Council of Constantinople (1341–1368).

After some maneuvering one faction formed around John Kantakouzenos, who was a supporter of Gregory Palamas, and included the provincial magnates from Macedonia and Thrace.

In forming the faction, Anna made Patriarch John XIV a regent and appointed Alexios Apokaukos an eparchos (urban prefect).

[1] Within days after the end of the conciliabulum, John VI Kantakouzenos victoriously entered Constantinople and forced his opponents to crown him co-emperor.