Petros, patriarch of Antioch, wrote to the Antiochenes. After warmly greeting them and their clergy, he explained how he chose to be a monk [at a date which can hardly even be guessed], then rose through the hierarchy before being nominated by the emperor as patriarch, approved by his fellows and God, elevated to the see through chrism and the laying on of hands by Michael Keroularios. He was delighted that his elevation was said to be the Antiochenes' own wish. He urged them to be positive that a real Antiochene was becoming their patriarch - the choice of Konstantinos IX, for whom they should give thanks. There is a little more information at the beginning of the synodical letters he sent to the patriarchs of Alexandria and Jerusalem: he was from pious Antiochene families on both sides, educated first in Antioch, where he attracted the attention of the patriarch Ioannes III (before 1021), then sent for secondary education to Constantinople. This education fitted him for a secular career an imperial secretary of Romanos III (before 1034), then as a krites in more than one theme in turn, finally in a position of reponsibility over other kritai. When he was allowed to retire and join the church, he was appointed to care for the Church of the Holy Apostles, then became skeuophylax of Hagia Sophia