Maximianus of Constantinople

Maximianus of Constantinople (Greek: Μαξιμινιανός; died 12 April 434) was the archbishop of Constantinople from 25 October 431 until his death on 12 April 434.

Maximianus was born in Rome from wealthy and pious parents. He had led a monastic life and had entered presbyteral orders; his action in building, at his own expense, tombs for the remains of holy men had obtained for him a reputation of sanctity. Sisinnius I of Constantinople ordained him presbyter.^[1]

The action of the first Council of Ephesus had thrown the churches of Constantinople into direst confusion. A large proportion of the citizens held strongly to Nestorius; the clergy, with one voice, agreed in the anathema. When the deposition became a fact no longer to be disputed, the excitement was continued about the election of a successor. After four months, agreement was arrived at in the election of Maximian.^[2]

In principles he followed the former archbishops, John Chrysostom, Atticus of Constantinople, and Sisinnius I of Constantinople. Pope Celestine I wrote to him in highly complimentary terms on his elevation. The appointment was made by the unanimous vote of clergy, Roman emperor, and people. The letter of Maximianus announcing to the pope his succession is lost, but that to Cyril of Alexandria remains, with its high eulogium on Cyril's constancy in defending the cause of Jesus.^[2]

It was the custom for occupants of the principal sees on election to send a synodical letter to the most considerable bishops of the Christian world, asking for the assurance of their communion. Maximianus sent his synodical to the Easterns as to the others. Communion was refused by bishop Helladius of Tarsus; and, we may conclude, by Eutherios of Tyana, Himerius of Nicomedia, and Dorotheus of Martianopolis, as Maximianus deposed them. Patriarch John I of Antioch approved the refusal of the bishop of Tarsus and praised him for having declined to insert the name of Maximianus in the diptychs of his church.^[2]

استمرّ نداء مكسيميانوس الحثيث للوحدة. كتب إليه البابا سيكستوس الثالث مرارًا، حثّه فيه على مدّ يد العون لكلّ من يستطيع استعادته. لم يدّخر مكسيميانوس جهدًا، ورغم توافقه التام مع القديس كيرلس، فقد ضغط عليه بشدّة للتخلي عن لعناته، التي بدت عقبةً لا تُذلّل أمام الوحدة. بل كتب إلى سكرتير الإمبراطور، أريستولاس التريبيون، الذي كان مهتمًا جدًا بمسألة السلام، متذمّرًا تقريبًا من عدم ضغطه الكافي على كيرلس في هذا الشأن، وإلى رئيس شمامسته إبيفانيوس . ^{[ 2 ]}

بعد استعادة الوئام، كتب يوحنا الأنطاكي والأساقفة الشرقيون الآخرون رسالة شركة إلى مكسيميانوس، معربين عن موافقتهم على انتخابه وعزل نسطوريوس. وكتب إليه كيرلس، عازيًا النتيجة المباركة إلى قوة صلواته. أما رسالة أريستولاس إلى مكسيميانوس، التي أمر مكسيميانوس بقراءتها في كنيسته على رعيته، فقد اعتبرها دوروثيوس المارتيانوبوليسية مزيفة، وذلك على ما يبدو لأنها انحازت إلى جانب مكسيميانوس بشكل قاطع. ^{[ 2 ]}

توفي ماكسيميانوس أثناء توليه منصبه. ومن بين جميع رسائله، لم يبقَ منها سوى تلك التي كتبها إلى القديس كيرلس. ^{[ 2 ]}