Keroularios wrote encouraging Isaakios (I) to hurry & Michael VI to abdicate

Summary:
Under pressure from crowds in Hagia Sophia, Michael Keroularios agreed to request from Michael VI the document signed by senators promising never to proclaim Isaakios (I) emperor. He sent envoys to Michael VI urging him to leave the palace and be tonsured, saying he could not guarantee his safety, but assuring him of the kingdom of heaven in exchange for the throne. At the same time he and his supporters sent messengers to Isaakios Komnenos asking him to hurry to Constantinople and requesting money. Thus he seemed to all not just a participant but the mastermind of the change of regime 
Dates:
1057 
envoys of Michael I Keroularios to Michael VI (Anonymi 122)
  • Were sent by the patriarch (Michael 11) to the emperor (Michael 6) to urge him to abandon the palace (after the rebellion of Isaakios 1 Komnenos) and assured him that he would receive the kingdom of heaven in exchange for the throne (:) Skylitzes 499.67-75
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • Was sent a message by the patriarch (Michael 11) urging him to hurry (to Constantinople) and requesting money (:) Skylitzes 499.67-70
  • Anonymi 6033 indicated to him not to delay but to hurry, requesting a reward for the proclamation (:) Zonaras 18.3.24
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • When the senior priests (Anonymi 122) brought the patriarch (Michael 11)'s directions to him, he said, "What will you offer me instead of the kingship?" And they replied, "The heavenly kingdom" (:) Zonaras 18.3.25
Michael I Keroularios, patriarch of Constantinople (Michael 11)
  • Summoned all the officials who came either willingly or unwillingly and some of the military and the people, completed the change of regime, and sent a strongly worded message to the old man (Michael 6) to get tonsured if he loved his life (:) τὴν βασίλειον ἐξουσίαν ἀφυῶς μετεστήσατο Attaleiates: History 58.11-19 / 44.9-15
  • Received the tonsured emperor (Michael 6 Stratiotikos) with a smile, embraced him with a kiss and greeted him (:) δέχεται τοῦτον ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς συναντήσει δῆθεν φιλανθρώπῳ καὶ μειδιώσῃ Attaleiates: History 59.9-12 / 45.2-3
  • Sent messengers (Anonymi 122) to the emperor (Michael 6) urging him to abandon the palace, and thus he appeared to everyone to be not a mere participant but the mastermind of the rebellion (of Isaakios 1 Komnenos) (:) Skylitzes 499.70-73
  • Advised the emperor (Michael 6) to abdicate and when Komnenos (Isaakios 1) ascended the throne he was greatly honoured (:) τὸν πατριάρχην τὰ μέγιστα τιμᾷ Glykas 600.17-601.5
  • When Anonymi 122 brought his directions to the aged Michael 6, he said, "What will you offer me instead of the kingship?" And they replied, "The heavenly kingdom" (:) Zonaras 18.3.25
  • He decided not to save the throne for Michael 6 (which was impossible), but to save his life and transfer power to Isaakios 1 without bloodshed; he offered Michael refuge, and he wisely agreed, rather than continuing civil war (:) Psellos Keroularios 364-365
  • Agreed to request from the emperor (Michael 6) the document signed by the senate (promising never to proclaim Isaakios 1 emperor), and sent messengers to Komnenos (Isaakios 1) urging him to hurry (to Constantinople) and requesting money (:) Skylitzes 499.57-71