St. Ignatius of Constantinople (798-877) was a Patriarch of Constantinople. Ignatius was one of the two sons of Michael I Rangabe, Emperor of Constantinople in the early ninth century. When Michael was exiled in 813, his sons had to live in a monastery as captives. Ignatius, the youngest of them, joined the monastery but was persecuted by the abbot for a long time. After the oppressor’s death he was ordained abbot and in 846 ordained patriarch of Constantinople.
He was hated by his enemies for taking an uncompromising stand against evil. Caesar Bardas, notorious for his illicit sexual relations, was denied the Eucharist on the day of the Epiphany of 857, which soon led to serious consequences. Caesar Bardas made a number of unjust allegations against Ignatius and persuaded Michael III, then Emperor of Constantinople, to punish him for them.
Ignatius was forced to resign and exiled. After the assassination of Caesar Bardas, Ignatius recalled the position that he had. Later, Ignatius carried out his pastoral duties with great precision, but the patriarchy came to the throne of Rome for authority. Many of Ignatius’ actions are unacceptable to rivals. He was remembered only for his personal purity of life. He died in 877.