He did not face his fate (after being deposed and banished) with fear, nor was his faith shaken, but he even surpassed Job in his patience, continued praising the Lord and remained humble
οὐ γὰρ κατέπεσεν ὅλως. Attaleiates: History 63.20-64.14 / 49.4-17
Beyond threats, stronger than any words and argument, superior to all accusations, an innocent and unconquerable man, according to the metropolitans (Anonymi 102) sent by Isaakios 1 Komnenos to convince him to resign
His greatness (according to the encomium written by Michael 61) resulted from ancesters, home city and personal qualities of every kind; but his city, the capital, shared with so many others, was not such a reason for congratulation
Psellos Keroularios 305
He was the youngest and best of his family, conspicuous for beauty both of body and mind
Psellos Keroularios 308
He was often in the palace from his youth, following Anonymus 2104 and Anonymus 2105; he and his brother, from whom he was inseparable, were equally handsome, learned and eloquent, save that he, the younger, was more serious and reserved
He was restrained in dress and standard of living, preferred chastity to marriage, but was as generous as his brother in giving alms
Psellos Keroularios 311
His anger, which some found excessive, was always used for a purpose, whether its object was the emperor or the common people
Psellos Keroularios 342-343
He successfully combined virtues involving contact with the many and others requiring communication with God alone
Psellos Keroularios 354
He was several times mentioned (and thus somehow implicated) in the patristic misogyny used by Michael 61 against Dosithea 2101, including cross-dressing, irrationality and shameless movements
Psellos Kategoria 1030-1245
He was accused by Michael 61 of being indifferent to his calling, coarse and irreverent, totally unsuited to the holy office of patriarch; he would joke or be furiously angry at the altar where he was to speak with God
Psellos Kategoria 2464-2519
According to Michael 61 he knew nothing of theology or canon law, but often entertained sellers of every kind of curiosity, animal, vegetable or mineral: prophets, alchemists and other pedlars of outdated doctrines, on whom he wasted large sums
Psellos Kategoria 2621-2784
From a splendid family, with a very prominent grandfather and great-grandfather
According to Michael 61 he bore grudges for no reason, and used his power against those he disliked; he trumped up reasons to suspect everybody, gossiped about women's vitue, could not keep staff and was an appalling example to others