As Georgios Tornikes was promoted to the office of didaskalos of the Gospels, he delivered an encomiastic prooimion to the patriarch, probably the ascetic Theodotos II. The patriarch was praised for his ascetic exercises, especially control of his tongue. Georgios also expressed pride that he had risen through the ranks to this high office without any of the intrigues and exploitation of others, which (he implied) were common in such promotions