Archbishop
He was born in 1296 in Constantinople into a wealthy family. His upbringing and education were guided by Theodore Metochites. At the age of 20, he took monastic vows in one of the Athonite monasteries, where he spent about three years with his spiritual mentor, Nicodemus the Hesychast. Later, his mentors became Gregory of Thessalonica and Nikiphorus the Solitary.
In 1336, he began his theological works. He is known for his dispute with Barlaam of Calabria regarding the Uncreated Light, in which he defended the Church's teaching on the uncreated light. In 1341, at the Council in Constantinople, he condemned Barlaam's error.
In 1344, he was excommunicated from the Church by Patriarch John XIV Kalekas and imprisoned. In 1347, after the death of John XIV, he was released and elevated to the rank of Archbishop of Thessalonica. During one of his trips to Constantinople, he was captured by the Turks and sold in various cities.
He peacefully departed this life on November 14, 1359.
