[2] After Trebizond's fall to the Ottomans in 1461, all the nobles of the former empire were forced by Mehmed II to move to Constantinople and Symeon too, who was already a monk, went to the capital.
[3] In autumn 1466 Symeon successfully obtained the throne after he presented the Ottoman government with 2000 pieces of gold, thus beginning a simoniac practice that marked the history of the Patriarchate of Constantinople for the following centuries.
In response to her requests, and to a donation by her of 2000 pieces of gold, the Sultan deposed Symeon I and appointed to the Patriarchate the candidate of Mara, Dionysius I of Constantinople.
Actually, in May 1472 there was a failed attempt to capture the city led by Caterino Zeni and Alexios Komnenos (a nephew of David of Trebizond), supported by Uzun Hassan.
Many scholars, such as Kiminas (2009),[7] Runciman (1985),[4] Grumel (1958)[8] and Bishop Germanos of Sardeis (1933–1938)[9], as well as the official website of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,[10] follow the chronicles of Pseudo-Dorotheos of Monemvasia and place the reign of Symeon I after Mark II of Constantinople.