Saint Nicholas I Mystikos

Nicholas was born in 852 in the Italian peninsula and served as a senator and mystikos (privy secretary) to Emperor Leo VI the Wise, before growing to love the monastic life and becoming a monk at the Galakrenai monastery.

For his virtues and learning he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople in 895, succeeding Anthony II Kauleas. He served twice as patriarch, being deposed over his opposition to Leo's fourth marriage and later restored, remaining a leading political and ecclesiastical figure until his death in 925.