Metrophanes of Byzantium
Metrophanes of Byzantium (died 314) was bishop of Byzantium from c. 306 to 314. He was, according to tradition, the 26th bishop and is the first bishop mentioned by contemporary sources. In fact, there is no contemporary mention of an organized Christian community in Byzantium before him.
There is a tradition that the Roman emperor Constantine the Great bestowed upon him the honorary title of Patriarch; however, Byzantium did not become the capital of the Empire until 330 (when it was renamed Constantinople), and the see was not elevated to a patriarchate until 451. According to Gelasius of Cyzicus, Metrophanes was alive during the First Council of Nicaea (325), but could not partake due to his age and ill health, so he sent instead Alexander of Constantinople, whom he destined as his successor. Metrophanes was most likely already dead by then. Socrates of Constantinople writes that Alexander of Constantinople succeeded Metrophanes sometime before 319.
Metrophanes has been canonised saint and is revered in both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. His feast day is 4 June.
In the Martyrology
- June 4 Saint Metrophanes, bishop of Byzantium