Saint Mitrophan of Constantinople

The Lord has blessed Saint Mitrophan since his birth. In an era of persecution against Christians, his father, Dometius, believed in Christ. It could have ended badly for the boy’s family if it weren’t for one but. Dometius was the brother of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus.

In order to better study the dogmas of the new faith and not attract unnecessary influence in Rome, Dometius and his family moved to a small city of Asia Minor, standing on the shores of the Bosphorus. The town was called Byzantium and was known for the fact that there lived a wise and God-fearing follower of Christianity Titus. Titus was a bishop of a small Christian community. He accepted Dometius and his sons as family members. He taught them, taught them, and taught them about God’s Word.

When Titus died, Dometius became bishop. And after him, his eldest son Prov. Both brothers had deep faith and great missionary talent. The Christian community of Byzantium grew. In 316, after the death of Probus, Mitrophan took the place of bishop. He was a well-informed and well-informed preacher. People respected and listened to him.

Therefore, when the new Caesar, Constantine, arrived in Byzantium, he wanted to see the wise old man. His faith and capacity for persuasion made a deep impression on Constantine.

Soon, the emperor decided to move the capital from Rome to Byzantium. The city became known as Constantinople. In the new capital, Constantine often conversed with the saint. During the first Council of Nicaea, he proposed to elect Mitrophan Patriarch of Constantinople.

The elder himself was not present at the cathedral, because by that time he was already more than a hundred years old. He was plagued by weakness and sickness. However, he gratefully accepted the appointment, noting that in 10 days he would go to heaven. Mitrophan named his successor and patriarch Alexandria. Everything turned out as he predicted: 10 days later, the Lord took Mitrophan to heaven. He was 117 years old.

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