Euphemius of Constantinople

Euphemius of Constantinople (Greek: Εὐφήμιος; died c. 515) was patriarch of Constantinople (490–496). Theophanes the Confessor calls him Euthymius. Prior to his appointment, Euphemius was a presbyter of Constantinople, administrator of a hospital for the poor at Neapolis, unsuspected of any Eutychian leanings, and is described as learned and very virtuous.

Acacian schism

In 482, Emperor Zeno had published a decree called the Henotikon, which forbade in the current theological discussions any other criterion but those of the Councils of First Council of Nicaea and First Council of Constantinople (ignoring the decrees of Chalcedon), carefully avoided speaking of Christ's two natures, and used ambiguous formulae that were meant to conciliate the Monophysites. Despite his efforts, the Henotikon really satisfied no one, Monophysites disliked it as much as the Orthodox. However, Acacius of Constantinople at Constantinople, Peter III of Alexandria Patriarch of Alexandria, and Peter the Fuller Patriarch of Antioch had all signed it. Pope Felix III convened in 484 a Roman synod of sixty-seven bishops that condemned the emperor's decree, deposed and excommunicated Acacius, Peter III, and Peter Fuller. Acacius retorted by striking the pope's name from his diptychs and persecuted Catholics at Constantinople. When he died, Fravitta of Constantinople, his successor, applied for recognition at Rome, but in vain, since he would not give up communion with Peter III of Alexandria.