Patriarcha Akacjusz wobec uzurpacji Bazyliskosa 475-476 roku

Abstract

This article analyses the attitude of patriarch of Constantinople, Acacius, towards the usurpation of Basiliscus (475-476). Basiliscus took the power over in result of the palace plot iniciated by empress Verina, Leo I’s widow. At the first stage of Basiliscus’ reign the patriarch took the expectant attitude toward the new ruler. The change of Basiliscus' religious policy expressed by favouring monophysites, by ordering such monophysitic bishops like Timothy the Cat and Peter the Fuller bade from exile, by publication of encyclical disapproving the assignations of the oecumenical council in Chalcedon which Acacius didn’t want to sign, resulted in provoked the aggravation of attitude between the emperor and the patriarch. The assignation at the council in Ephesus on which Timothy the Cat led to deprivation of Constantinople patriarch out of his rights in relation to the exarchate of Asia were the turning - point. Acacius indignat at the reduction of the his rights went into unhesitating actions. He promoted riots among inhabitans of the capital and monks against the emperor, he brought St. Daniel the Slylite and that, together with disloyalty of Basiliscus’ collaborators caused his fall even so that he called off his earlier instructions conncctod with religious problems. Acacius, whom Zeno owed his return to the throne to great extent, gained a strong position keeping close to the emperor.