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Acacius of Constantinople

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Acacius' childhood and early life are not known. He first appears in history holding the position of ''orphanotrophos'', a position in the Church of Constantinople that was responsible for the care of orphans, duties that Acacius performed successfully. He was also noted as having a pleasing personality and very good social manners including courtly speech, that is he was an accomplished courtier and enjoyed the interest of Emperor Leo I.
With the death of Patriarch [[Gennadius]] in 471, Acacius succeeded as the new patriarch of Constantinople. After five or so years without controversy as patriarch Acacius became involved with the [[Christological]] disputes of the Church. In 474, Zeno succeeded Leo I as emperor upon his death. Almost immediately in 475, Basiliscus, in a conspiracy with Leo I’s widow, usurped the throne. Basiliscus, under the influence of [[Timothy II Aelurus of Alexandria|Timothy Aelerus]], the [[Monophysitism|Monophysite]] Patriarch of Alexandria, supported the position of [[Eutyches]] and prepared an imperial proclamation (''egkylios'') that rejected the teaching of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council| Council of Chalcedon]]. Initially, Acacius considered adding his name, with other bishops, to Basiliscus' proclamation, but under pressure from [[Daniel the Stylite]] and the [[monasticism|monastic]] communities of Constantinople he instead threw himself into the defense of the Chalcedon council. His sincerity, however, toward supporting the Chalcedon council has been questioned in view of Acacius' interest in his own personal ends.
In late 475, Zeno recovered the throne and, with Acacius, supported the Chalcedonian position. In 482, major troubles broke out when the non-Chalcedonians moved to place [[Peter III of Alexandria|Peter Mongus ]] as the Patriarch of Alexandria. In 481, [[John Talaia]], a confirmed adherent of the Council of Chalcedon, had been consecrated Patriarch of Alexandria, an area which had strong non-Chalcedon feelings. At this time [[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno ]] in an attempt to force a union of the two factions had Acacius prepare an instrument of reunion, the ''[[Henoticon]]'', that affirmed the Nicene-Constantinople Creed, condemned [[Eutyches]] and [[Nestorius]], and accepted the anathamas of St [[Cyril of Alexandria]]. The teachings of Chalcedon, however, were ignored, and Jesus Christ was described as the “only-begotten Son of God . . . one and not two” with no mention of the two Natures. While Peter willingly accepted the Henoticon, Talaia refused to accept it and was removed as patriarch by Zeno and replaced him with Peter Mongus.
Pope Simplicius of Rome protested the appointment Peter Mongus (Peter III) to the [[see]] of Alexandria because of Peter’s involvement with the non-Chalcedonians of Alexandria and sided with Talaia, who had slighted Acacius by seeking the support of Simplicius directly. Peter represented to Acacius that he was able to heal the divisions caused by the dispute if he were confirmed as patriarch. Peter was recognized by Acacius and Theophanes of Antioch, who, in 479, had been consecrated as the patriarch to the Anitochian see by Acacius. These events gave Acacius the opportunity for which he seemed to have been waiting of claiming the primacy of honor and jurisdiction over the entire Christian East. The title "Oikoumenikos" (Ecumenical) was first used while Acacius was Patriarch of Constantinople. Acacius ingratiated himself with Zeno by suggesting he side with Peter in spite of the objections from Rome.
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