Michael Synkellos
Michael Synkellos (), also spelled Syncellus (c. 760 – 4 January 846), was a Greek Orthodox Arab Christian priest, monk and saint. He held the administrative office of "synkellos" of the patriarchate of Jerusalem (c. 811–815) and the patriarchate of Constantinople (843–846). He was involved in disputes over the "filioque" clause and over Byzantine iconoclasm, which landed him in prison for the period 815–843. He nevertheless wrote extensively, producing grammar, theology, hagiographies, hymns and poetry. He wrote in Greek and made at least one translation from Arabic. Life. Michael was born in Jerusalem in or about 761. He was of  Arab origin. He was the only son of his parents and had several older sisters. His mother dedicated him at the age of three to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where he was given the rank of "anagnostes" (reader). Around 786, when he was twenty-five, his father died, his mother and sisters entered a convent and he entered the "lavra" of Mar Saba as a monk. In 797 or 798, he was ordained a priest by the patriarch of Jerusalem. After two years in Jerusalem, he returned to Mar Saba. In 800, he accepted the brothers Theodore and  Theophanes as his monastic disciples. The period following the death of Hārūn al-Rashīd (809) until the accession of al-Maʾmūn (813) was one of unrest that greatly affected the churches of Palestine. Between 808 and 812, probably about 811, Michael was named "synkellos" of the patriarch of Jerusalem. With his two disciples, he moved into the monastery of the Spudaioi near the Holy Sepulchre. Between about 811 and 813, he visited Edessa, where he wrote his treatise on syntax. In 812 or 813, Patriarch Thomas I of Jerusalem sent Michael on a mission to Constantinople and Rome, accompanied by  his disciples Theodore, Theophanes and Job. The purpose of Michael's mission was to bring letters from Thomas to Pope Leo III referring to him the controversy over the "filioque" that had erupted in Jerusalem in 809 and to request financial assistance in the West for the churches in Palestine following the imposition of fines by the Islamic authorities. Michael and his disciples arrived in Constantinople during the reign of Michael I, that is, before July 813. For reasons unknown, they remained in Constantinople for some time and never got to Rome. They stayed at the Chora monastery and became  involved in disputes over the re-introduction of iconoclasm by the Emperor Leo V in 815. The four were arrested, beaten, imprisoned in Phiale and offered money to recant their iconodulism. While Theodore and Theophanes were sent away, Michael and Job remained in Phiale. Following the accession of Michael II in 820, the two were exiled to the monastery of Prousias (or Prousa) near Mount Olympus. In 834, the Emperor Theophilos had them placed in solitary confinement in the Praitorion in Constantinople. In 836, Michael was moved to a new cell, where he was attended by the nun Euphrosyne. In  843, Michael was released by the Emperor Michael III, who repudiated iconoclasm. He was elected patriarch of Constantinople, but refused the honour. He was instead appointed "synkellos" of the patriarchate and "hegoumenos" (abbot) of the Chora. He set about restoring the monastery with patriarchal and imperial assistance, dying there on 4 January 846. He was immediately regarded as a saint and an anonymous contemporary wrote a hagiography of him. Nikephoros Gregoras later also wrote a biography. Writings. The identification of the writings of Michael Synkellos is complicated by the existence of three or four 9th-century writers named Michael who  were identified by their office of "synkellos". Michael Synkellos is sometimes, but not always, identified as "of Jerusalem" or "of Constantinople". There was even another Michael who was "synkellos" of Constantinople. Those extant works which are surely attributed to him include: Extant works the attribution of which to him is disputed include: Several lost writings by Michael are known from his biography: