Sainted Proklos, Archbishop of Constantinople
Commemorated on November 20
Sainted Proklos,
Archbishop of Constantinople, from his early years devoted all his time to
prayer and the study of Holy Scripture. The Lord granted him the great good
fortune to be a student of Saint John Chrysostom (+ 407, Comm. 13 November),
who at first ordained him to the dignity of deacon, and then to the dignity of
presbyter. Saint Proklos was a witness of the appearance of the Apostle Paul to
Saint John Chrysostom. Saint Proklos received from his teacher a profound
comprehension of Holy Scripture, and learned in polished form to elucidate
thought.
After the exile and
death of Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Proklos was ordained by the holy
Patriarch of Constantinople Sisinios (426-427) to the dignity of bishop of the
city of Kyzikos, but under the influence of Nestorian heretics he was expelled
by his flock there. Saint Proklos then returned to the capital and preached the
Word of God in the churches of Constantinople, strengthening listeners in the
Orthodox faith and denouncing the impiety of the heretics. Upon the death of
the Patriarch Saint Sisinios, Saint Proklos was elevated to archbishop. Having
thus been made Patriarch of Constantinople, he guided the Church over the
course of twelve years (434-447). By the efforts of Saint Proklos, the relics
of Saint John Chrysostom were transferred from Comana to Constantinople during
the time of the holy emperor Saint Theodosius II (408-450).
During the time of
Saint Proklos as patriarch the empire suffered destructive earthquakes, lasting
for several months. At Bithynia, in the Hellespont, and in Phrygia cities were
devastated, rivers disappeared from the face of the earth, and in previously
dry places there occurred terrible flooding. The people of Constantinople
together with the patriarch and emperor at the head came out from the city and
made moliebens for the ceasing of the calamities, unprecedented in force.
During the time of one molieben a boy from the crowd was snatched up into the
air by an unseen force and carried off to such an height, that he was no longer
to be seen by human sight. Then, whole and unharmed, the lad was lowered upon
the ground and he reported, how that up Above he heard and he saw, how the
Angels in glorifying God did sing: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy
Immortal". All the people began to sing this Trisagion Prayer, – adding
to it the refrain. "Have mercy on us!" – and the earthquakes
stopped. The Orthodox Church sings still this prayer at Divine-services to this
very day.
The Constantinople
flock esteemed their Patriarch for his ascetic life, for his concern about the
downtrodden, and for his preaching. Many works of the saint have survived down
to the present day. Best known are his discourses against the Nestorians, two
tracts of the Saint in praise of the Mother of God, and four tracts on the
Nativity of Christ, – setting forth the Orthodox teaching about the
Incarnation of the Son of God. The activity of the holy Patriarch in
establishing decorum in all the church affairs gained him universal esteem.
Surrounded by love and respect, Saint Proklos expired to the Lord in his
declining years (+ 446-447).
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.