John, Patriarch of Constantinople

John, Patriarch Of Constantinople known for his connection with the measures of the emperor Michael Palaeologus, looking to the union of Christendom. He at first refused his aid, and declared the Latins heretics, for which he was imprisoned. While in prison he found leisure to examine the older Greek literature concerning the dissensions of the Eastern and Western churches, and these investigations changed his mind. He was released and made patriarch, but after the death of the emperor retired to a monastery, in 1283. He was again restored, and again exiled, dying in 1298 in Bithynia. The Greek Church excludes his name from the number of the orthodox, but not the Latin Church; hence his writings are found in Leo Allatius's Grcecia Orthodoxa, tom. 1, 2. See Gass, in Plitt-Herzog, Real-Encyklop. s.v. (B.P.)