Konstantinos III Leichoudes, patriarch of Constantinople E / L XI
Κωνσταντίνου (Konstantinos 13)
(Unspecified)
(null)
Narrative
(106)
Before 1025
Unassigned Activities
Authorship
(null)
Death
(5)
After his death he was succeeded by
Ioannes 18
Xiphilinos
Skylitzes Continuatus 117.13-14
After his death many candidates were examined but
Ioannes 18
Xiphilinos was deemed the worthiest to succeed him on the patriarchal throne
τοῦ πατριάρχου θανόντος. Attaleiates: History 92.23-93.2 / 70.11-12
After steering the Church for four years and six months he was transferred to another life
Zonaras 18.9.16
Died and was succeeded by
Ioannes 18
Xiphilinos
τελευτήσαντος. Glykas 606.14-15
He showed symptoms of impending death when visited by
Michael 61
, and this was reported to the emperor
Konstantinos 10
; the emperor grieved and visited him, and then he died
Psellos Leichoudes 418
Description
(37)
Distinguished himself in state affairs from the time of the accession of Monomachos (
Konstantinos 9
) until the present and became most famous for his administrative skills after he was appointed guardian of the income and privileges of Mangana
καὶ μέγα κλέος ἐπὶ τῷ μεσασμῷ τῆς τῶν ὅλων διοικήσεως ἀπενεγκάμενος καὶ τῆς τῶν Μαγγάνων προνοίας καὶ τῶν δικαιωμάτων φύλαξ. Skylitzes Continuatus 106.5-10
With the art of rhetoric, which he had enhanced by rendering it more persuasive, he combined civil law, articulating it with precise connections, that is, he elaborated the established law by practising it with greater art
τῇ γὰρ ῥητορικῇ τέχνῃ ... πιθανοτέραν ἀπεργασάμενος, τοὺς πολιτικοὺς νόμους καταμιγνύς, τὸ ἄρθρον ἀκριβέσι συνδέσμοις κατέσφιγγεν, ὅπερ ἐστὶ τὸν προκείμενον νόμον ἐργασίαις τεχνικωτέραις ἐποίκιλλεν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 178.8-12
His stature, fine physique and the expression of his tongue became him - sonorous and clear, especially when he was declaiming the imperial orders from on high
ἔπρεπε δὲ τῷ ἀμδρὶ τό τε εἶδος καὶ ἡ τοῦ σώματος ἀναδρομή, καὶ ἡ τῆς γλώττης περιβολή, εὔηχον γάρ το εἶχε καὶ τορόν, καὶ μάλιστα ὁπότε ἐκ μετεώρου τὰς βασιλείους φωνὰς ὑπεκρίνετο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 178.19-22
His past life had shown that he was without reproach and without rival and his eloquence made him recognised among the chief scholars
ὃν δὴ ὅ τε προλαβὼν βίος ἀνέγκλητον ἔδειξε καὶ ἀπαράμιλλον, καὶ τοῖς πρώτοις σοφοῖς ὁ λόγος ἐγνώρισεν. Psellos: Chronographia VII 65.22-3
He was an adornment to this office (of patriarch) combining a noble political spirit with the life of a priest
κοσμεῖ ταύτην εἰς δύναμιν, πολιτικὸν καὶ γενναῖον φρόνημα ἱερατικῷ βίῳ κατακεράσας. Psellos: Chronographia VII 66.6-7
His whole life - that of the soldier, the politician - inspired confidence, as did his magnificence and his affability
ἔνθεν τοι ἅπας μὲν αὐτοῦ βίος τεθάρρηκεν, ἐκεῖ μὲν ὁ στρατιωτικός, ὁ πολιτικός, ἐνταῦθα δὲ τὸ μεγαλοπρεπές, τὸ εὐπρόσιτον. Psellos: Chronographia VII 66.22-4
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κορυφαῖον τῆς συγκλήτου βουλῆς. Psellos: Chronographia VII 18.8-13
Blessed (had died by the time of the synod convened by
Ioannes 18
)
μακαριωτάτου. Synod of 1072 58.74-59.75
His generous hand and skilful care benefitted many
οὗ τῆς μεγαλοδώρου χειρὸς καὶ ἱκανῆς προνοίας οὐδεὶς ἔξω μεμένηκε. Glykas 602.6-7
Dearest of all men (address by
Michael 61
) [unnamed]
φίλτατε πάντων ἀνδρῶν. Psellos: Chronographia VI 73.7
He was noble, a leader in eloquence, his tongue prepared and ready for every aspect of speech, thoroughly versed in politcal affairs
γενναῖος ἦν οὗτος ὁ ἀνὴρ καὶ τὰ πρῶτα τῆς λογιότητος, τήν τε γλῶτταν εἶχε πρὸς πᾶσαν λόγων ἰσχὺν ἐμπαράσκευόν τε καὶ ἕτοιμον, καὶ τὰς πολιτικὰς πράξεις ἠκρίβωτο. Psellos: Chronographia VI 178.5-8
As he had been endowned by heaven with a most practical mind he scrutinised public business with great rationality and natural talent; although he loved every kind of fine speech, he applied himself to forensic speaking
πρακτικώτατον ἄνωθεν εἰληχὼς νοῦν, τὰς δημοσίας πράξεις ἠκρίβωσε λογικωτάτως τε καὶ εὐφυεστάτως· πᾶσαν δὲ ἀγαπήσας καλλιέπειαν λόγου μεθηρμόσθη πρὸς τὸ πραγματικὸν εἶδος τῶν ὑποθέσεων. Psellos: Chronographia VI 178.12-15
In rhetorical speeches his style was elegant and true to the Attic dialect, but in public business it was simple, natural and pure
ἦν αὐτῷ ἡ γραφὴ πρὸς μὲν τοὺς ῥητορικοὺς τῶν λόγων καλλιεπὴς καὶ τὴν ἀτθίδα φωνὴν ἀκριβοῦσα, πρὸς δὲ τὰς πολιτικὰς πράξεις ἁπλῆ τις καὶ συνήθης και καθαρά. Psellos: Chronographia VI 178.16-18
This very fine man
τούτῳ δὴ τῷ καλλίστῳ ἀνδρί. Psellos: Chronographia VI 179.12
The very powerful man
τοῦ κρατίστου ἀνδρὸς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 179.12
First of the Romans, chief of the senatorial council, whose mind was rival to his tongue, his tongue to his mind; he tended
Konstantinos 9
and was later patriarch; himself vowed to the Word he also dedicated
Isaakios 1
to the Father
τὰ πρῶτα ῾Ρωμαίων, κορυφαῖον τῆς συγκλήτου βουλῆς, ᾧ ἀνθάμιλλα ὅ τε νοῦς τῇ γλώττῃ καὶ ἡ γλῶττα τῷ νῷ, ὃς ... Μονομάχον λεοντοκόμησας, ... θῦμα τῷ Λόγῳ γεγονώς, αὖθις ἐκεῖνον τῷ Πατρὶ ἱερούργησεν. Psellos: Chronographia VII 18.8-13
Truly a friend of the Romans
φιλορώμαιός τις ὧς ἀληθῶς ὤν. Psellos: Chronographia VII 19.1-2
Fellow ambassador (to
Michael 61
)
συμπρέσβεις. Psellos: Chronographia VII 38.1; 39.15
The famous Konstantinos who had before put the empire in order after many storms and been much sought after by many emperors
ὁ περιώνυμος Κωνσταντῖνος, τὴν βασιλείαν πρότερον ἐκ κυμάτων καταστήσας πολλῶν, καὶ πολλοῖς τῶν βασιλευόντων περιάρπακτος γεγονώς. Psellos: Chronographia VII 66.1-3
In others virtue does not yield to circumstance, restrict free speech nor reduce the willful; in him the (?) balance of his life was suited to exact precision and management (?), and he handled affairs like a philosopher not an orator
... τῷ δὲ ἡ κρᾶσις τοῦ βίου πρὸς πᾶσαν ἀκρίβειάν τε καὶ οἰκονομίαν ἐξήρκεσε, καὶ μετακεχείρισται τὸ πρᾶγμα οὐ ῥητορικῶς, ἀλλὰ φιλοσόφως. Psellos: Chronographia VII 66.7-15
He did not babble or play a role, but one quality sufficed for both his lives (as politician and churchman)
οὐ γὰρ τὰ μὲν στωμύλλεται, τὰ δὲ ὑποκρίνεται, ἀλλὰ μιᾷ ποιότητι χρώμενος ἑκατέροιν τοῖν βίοιν ἀρκεῖ. Psellos: Chronographia VII 66.15-17
Anyone who interrogated him as a politician found him graced with priestly dignity; anyone who approached him as a priest, even if afraid and trembling, found him glittering with a politicina's charm, with firm character and smiling gravity
κἂν μέν τις αὐτὸν πολιτικῶς ἐξετάσειεν, ἱερατικῷ εὕροι κοσμούμενον ἀξιώματι, εἰ δ’ ὡς ἀρχιερεῖ προσίῃ ... ταῖς πολιτικαῖς εὑρήσει ἀποστίλβοντα χάρισι μετὰ τοῦ στιβαροῦ ἤθους καὶ τῆς μειδιώσης σεμνότητος. Psellos: Chronographia VII 66.17-21
Even before he became patriarch,
Michael 61
often predicted that he would, making a prophecy about his future life, and after he became patriarch
Michael 61
continued to recognize his very fine character
τούτῳ γοῦν ἐγὼ καὶ πρὸ τῆς ἀρχιερωσύνης τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην πολλάκις προείρηκα, τῷ βίῳ περὶ τοῦ μέλλοντος μαντευσάμενος, καὶ μετὰ τὴν ἱερατείαν μετὰ τοῦ καλλίστου ἐκεῖνον ἤθους ὁρῶ. Psellos: Chronographia VII 66.24-7
Distinguished himself in state affairs and politics from the time of Monomachos (
Konstantinos 9
) until the accession of
Isaakios 1
ἀνὴρ μέγιστον διαλάμψας. Attaleiates: History 66.13-15 / 51.2-4
He is described in the encomium written by
Michael 61
as having all the virtues and being very learned in a particularly well-rounded way
Psellos Leichoudes 388-390
His family is described, in the encomium written by
Michael 61
, as respectable and rising in distinction to a crescendo in him: he was thus probably not of distinguished birth
σεμνοὶ πάντες καὶ παρὰ τῶν ἐφεξῆ~ νικώμενοι ξύμπαντες. Psellos Leichoudes 390
He was apparently seen by
Michael 61
before he was fully mature, and Michael was greatly impressed by his intelligent eyes, elevated manner and precise speech
πρὸ τῆς τελείας ἀκμῆς. Psellos Leichoudes 391
His educational attainments were complemented by modest and harmonious attitudes and bearing
Psellos Leichoudes 397-398
He was a man of the old school, as shown in the encomium written by
Michael 61
, modest in habits, clothing and diet, neither a skinflint nor a spendthrift, making no enemies and taking no bribes, as if preparing to be patriarch
Psellos Leichoudes 403-404
He gave away to the poor all the money he received, apart from some he reserved for the members of his family; he was sympathetic and never angry with anybody
Psellos Leichoudes 413
Perhaps introduced into
Michael 61
s epitaph for
Isaakios 1
as a friend of the deceased
φίλου. Psellos Poema 20.12
Was previously head of imperial administration, in all respects an antithesis to
Ioannes 115
in birth and education and exactitude in political management
ἦν γὰρ ἐπὶ τῶν βασιλικῶν διοικήσεων πρῳ´ην ἀνὴρ τούτῳ τὰ πάντα ἀντίρροπος καὶ γένος καὶ λόγον καὶ τὴν περὶ τᾶς πολιτικὰς οἰκονομίας ἀκρίβείαν. Zonaras 17.28.13
An envoy of the emperor (
Michael 6
) to Komnenos (
Isaakios 1
), he was considered to be one of the most distinguished men of his time in wisdom and eloquence
πρεσβευταὶ βασιλέως...ἐπὶ σοφίᾳ καὶ λόγου δυνάμει τῶν κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην ἀνθρώπων διαφέρειν δοκοῦντες. Skylitzes 496.81-86
Was generous and caring not only towards the clergy but to everyone, leaving nobody beyond the reach of his attention
δωρηματικὸς καὶ προνοητικός. Skylitzes Continuatus 106.19-22
Ambassador
οἱ πρεσβευταί. Zonaras 18.3.15
A man who had for long distinguished himself in the administration of public affairs and had remained without reproach, to whom (
Konstantinos 9
) Monomachos both handed over care of the Mangana and entrusted the documents concerning its freedom
ἄ`νδρα ταῖς τῶν κοινῶν πραγμάτων ἐπὶ μακρὸν ἐμπρέψαντα διοικήσεσι καὶ ἀνέγκλητον διαμείναντα, ᾧπερ ὁ Μονομάχος καὶ τὴν τῶν Μαγγάνων ἀνέθετο πρόνοιαν καὶ τὰ περὶ τῆς ελευθερίας αὐτῶν ἐνεπίστευαν ἔγγραφα. Zonaras 18.5.9
Was highly regarded by and exerted great influence over the emperor (
Konstantinos 9
)
τὰ πρῶτα τότε παρὰ βασιλέως φέρων καὶ μέγα παρὰ τούτῳ δυνάμενος. Skylitzes 440.29-31
Dignity/Office
(41)
Ecumenical patriarch
οἰκουμενικῷ πατριάρχῃ.
Seal 0
οἰκουμενικῷ πατριάρχῃ.
Seal 0
Mesazon
μεσάζων. Attaleiates: History 66.15 / 51.3
Paradynasteuon
τοῦ παραδυναστεύοντος. Skylitzes 446.81-82
τοῦ παραδυναστεύοντος. Bryennios 99.2
Patriarch
τῆς ἑαυτοῦ θείας Σοφίας μυσταγωγὸν καὶ μύστην. Psellos: Chronographia VI 181.8
τὴν πατριαρχικὴν λειτουργίαν ἐκόσμησε. Psellos: Chronographia VII 18.11
τῇ δὲ διαδοχῇ τῆς λειτουργίας. Psellos: Chronographia VII 65.20-1
τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην πιστεύεται. Psellos: Chronographia VII 66.4; 66.24-5
ἀρχιερέα. Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.14-15
Patriarch of Constantinople
πατριάρχου. Synod of 1072 59.1
πατριάρχου τῆς βασιλέδος. Boilas 39
πατριάρχης. Glykas 602.5
πατριάρχης. Skylitzes Continuatus 106.3
πατριάρχης. Attaleiates: History 66.12 / 51.1
τῇ δὲ ἐκκλησίᾳ ... ἀντικατέστησεν. Zonaras 18.5.9
πατριάρχου. Zonaras 18.9.16
ὁ τῆς Θεοῦ Σοφίας ἀρχιερεὺς. Psellos: Chronographia VII 69.15
οἰκουμενικοῦ πατριάρχου. Vatopedi 99.4
τῆς Κωνσταντίνου μέγας ἀρχιερεύς. Psellos Xiphilinos 421
ἀρχιερέα. Psellos Leichoudes 412
πατριάρχῃ. Psellos Letters (K - D) 245, 295.3
ἀρχιεπισκόπῳ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως.
Seal 0
ἀρχιεπισκόπῳ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως.
Seal 0
Proedros
πρόεδρος. Skylitzes 496.82
προέδρου. Boilas 39
πρόεδρος. Skylitzes Continuatus 106.3
πρόεδρος. Attaleiates: History 66.12 / 51.1
πρόεδρος. Zonaras 18.3.2, 18.5.9
πρόεδρον. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 73.309
Protovestiarios
προτοβεστηαρίου. Boilas 39
πρωτοβεστιάριος. Glykas 602.5
πρωτοβεστιάριος. Skylitzes Continuatus 106.4
πρωτοβεστιάριος. Attaleiates: History 66.13 / 51.1
πρωτοβεστιάριον. Zonaras 18.5.9
πρωτοβεστιαρίῳ. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 28.262-263
πρωτοβεστιάριον. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 73.309
πρωτοβεστιάριε. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 177.45
Vestiarios
προτοβεστηαρίου. Boilas 39
πρωτοβεστιάριος. Glykas 602.5
πρωτοβεστιάριος. Skylitzes Continuatus 106.4
Education
(4)
He became the acknowledged expert in many areas of academic endeavour, with a very unusual breadth of skills
καὶ ἦν μόνος ὀρθογραφίας κανών, τέχνη ῥητορικῆς, στάθμη νομοθεσίας. Psellos Leichoudes 396
He passed triumphantly through elementary and advanced education, amazing his teachers and becoming an expert in several fields, especially rhetoric
Psellos Leichoudes 391-392
His education ended with a specialisation in law and politics
... τὰς πολιτικὰς τέχνας. Psellos Leichoudes 395
His eloquence made him recognised among the chief scholars
τοῖς πρώτοις σοφοῖς ὁ λόγος ἐγνώρισεν. Psellos: Chronographia VII 65.22-3
Ethnic label
(null)
Second Name
(10)
Leichoudes
Λειχούδης. Skylitzes 440.29
τῆς Λειχουδίας. Skylitzes 446.82
Λειχούδης. Glykas 602.5-6
Λειχούδης. Skylitzes Continuatus 106.4
Λειχούδης. Attaleiates: History 66.13 / 51.2
Leichoudias
καὶ Λειχουδίαν ἐκάλουν. Bryennios 99.2-3
Leichoudes
Λειχούδης. Zonaras 17.28.15
Λειχούδης. Zonaras 18.3.2, 18.5.9, 18.5.11, etc.
Λειχούδην. Psellos Leichoudes 388 (tit.)
Λειχούδῃ. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 28.262 tit.
Kinship
(3)
father of
Stephanos 103
(υἱός). Skylitzes 446.82
(υἱός). Bryennios 99.3
son of
Anonymus 2101
(πατήρ). Psellos Leichoudes 415
Language Skill
(null)
Location
(15)
Constantinople
became patriarch of Constantinople Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Psellos Xiphilinos 421
completed the first stage of the journey from Constantinople ἐκ Πόλεως. Psellos: Chronographia VII 19.7
sailed for and reached palace harbour of Constantinople Βυζάντιον. Psellos: Chronographia VII 33.8-9
served as patriarch of Constantinople τῆς βασιλέδος. Boilas 39
was born in Constantinople τὴν νέαν ῾Ρώμην. Psellos Leichoudes 390
was patriarch of Constantinople Κωνσταντινουπόλεως.
Seal 0
was patriarch of Constantinople Κωνσταντινουπόλεως.
Seal 0
Constantinople: Mangana
was appointed by
Konstantinos 9
guardian of the income and privileges of Mangana τῶν Μαγγάνων. Skylitzes Continuatus 106.9
was asked by
Isaakios 1
for the rights of Mangana τῶν Μαγγάνων. Zonaras 17.5.12
was entrusted with care of the Mangana τῶν Μαγγάνων. Zonaras 18.5.9
was entrusted with the documents concerning the freedom of the Mangana τῶν Μαγγάνων. Zonaras 18.5.9
Constantinople: Martyr Kallinikos
built a convent dedicated to the Theotokos on the site of the church of Martyr Kallinikos τὸν ἐνταῦθα τοῦ μάρτυρος Καλλινίκου ναόν. Psellos Leichoudes 415
Kouzenas (Magnesia)
was born at Kouzenas (Magnesia) Κουζηνᾶν. Psellos Letters (Sathas) 68.300
Nikomedeia
was sent as envoy to
Isaakios 1
at Nikomedeia εἰς Νικομήδειαν. Skylitzes 496.81
Reai (Bithynia)
met
Isaakios 1
Komnenos at Reai (Bithynia) τὰς Ῥέας. Skylitzes 497.93
Occupation/Vocation
(1)
Priest
ἐπεὶ γὰρ ὁ Λειχούδης ἐψηφιστό τε καὶ προκεχείριστο καὶ ἱερεὺς ἤδη κεχειροτόνητο. Zonaras 18.5.11
Possession
(null)
Religion
(null)
Eunuchs
(null)
Alternative Name
(null)
Uncertain Ident
(2)