Archbishop
Saint Eutychius was born at the beginning of the 6th century in a village of the Phrygian region (on the territory of present-day Turkey), in a pious Christian family of a soldier. His parents were the soldier Alexander and Synesia, the daughter of the priest Hesychius. During her pregnancy Synesia saw a vision foretelling the birth of the saint. Baptized by his grandfather Hesychius, he showed signs of his future rank in childhood, writing on a wall: "Eutychius patriarch".
At the age of twelve he was sent to study in Constantinople, where he came to understand that worldly wisdom bears no spiritual fruit. Longing to become a monk, he was called to the episcopacy, but after refusing this rank he returned to the monastery of Amaseia, where he became an archimandrite.
During the reign of Emperor Justinian, he was chosen for the Fifth Ecumenical Council, where he displayed wisdom in disputes with heretics. In 522, after the death of Patriarch Menas, by divine revelation he was chosen Patriarch of Constantinople. His patriarchate was marked by a struggle with heretics: Eutychius boldly denounced various heresies and anathematized those who spread them.
In 565 Emperor Justinian, having fallen into a new heresy, removed Eutychius from the patriarchal throne and sent him into exile to the monastery of Amaseia. In exile he worked miracles, healing the sick and helping those in distress.
After the death of Emperor Justinian and his return to the throne, he continued to serve the Church, halting a plague and healing the sick. He reposed on the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, having foretold his death to King Tiberius. He was buried in the Church of the Apostles beneath the steps of the altar.
