In 928, a man was chosen to lead the church despite having taken a vow of silence
In the tenth century, the Byzantine Empire appointed Stephen II as Patriarch of Constantinople, choosing a man who had famously committed himself to a lifelong vow of absolute silence.
Stephen II became the leader of the Byzantine Church in 928 during a period of intense political maneuvering. Having lived as a hermit for years, he was known for his extreme piety and a strict vow of silence. Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos likely supported his appointment because a silent, ascetic leader was less likely to interfere with the complex politics of the imperial court.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz