Our father among the saints[[saint]]s, '''Flavian the Confessor''' (also ''Phlabianus'') was [[Patriarch]] of Constantinople from 446 to 449. He is commemorated by the Church on [[February 16]] and [[February 18|18]].

Saint Flavian became Patriarch after the death of holy Patriarch [[Proclus of Constantinople|Proclus. During ]], during a time of various disturbances and [[heresy|heresies]] that threatened the unity of the [[church]].

In the year 448, St . Flavian convened a local [[Council]] at Constantinople to examine the heresy of [[Eutyches]], which admitted only one nature (the divine) in the Lord [[Jesus Christ]]. Persisting in his error, the [[heretic ]] Eutyches was [[excommunication|excommunicated ]] from the Church and deprived of dignity, but Eutyches had a powerful patron in the person of Chrysathios, a eunuch close to the emperor.

Through intrigue, Chrysathios brought [[Bishop ]] [[Dioscorus of Alexandria ]] over to the side of Eutyches, and obtained permission from the emperor to call what was to be called the "[[Robber Council of Ephesus]]." Dioscorus presided at this council, gaining the acquittal of Eutyches and the condemnation of Patriarch Flavian by threats and force. St . Flavian was fiercely beaten up during the sessions of this council by impudent [[monk]]s led by a certain Barsumas.

Even the impious president of the Robber Council, the heretic Dioscorus, took part in these beatings. After this heavy chains were put upon St . Flavian, and he was sentenced to banishment at [[Ephesus]]. The council reinstated Eutyches; Flavian died shortly afterwards, on [[August 11]], 449, from the injuries he received from this attack. He was buried obscurely.

Soon the schemings of Chrysathios were revealed. The sudden death of Emperor Theodosius on [[July 28]], 450 returned his sister Pulcheria to imperial power with the new emperor general , General [[Marcian]] , as her husband. Through her efforts, the [[relics]] of holy Patriarch Flavian were reverently transferred from Ephesus to Constantinople. The [[Council of Chalcedon]], called in 451, condemned Eutyches, confirmed Pope Leo's Tome and [[glorification|glorified]] Flavian as a [[martyr]].