Saint Metrophanes (Greek: Μητροφάνης; died 314) was the 26h bishop of Byzantium according to tradition, holding the office from c. 306 to 314.[1] He is the first bishop supported by historical sources.[2] In fact, there is no mention of any organized Christian community in Byzantium before him.[3]
There is a tradition that the Emperor Constantine I bestowed upon him the honorary title of Patriarch; however, Byzantium did not become the capital of the Empire until 330 (when it was renamed Constantinople), and the see was not elevated to a patriarchate until 451. According to Gelasius of Cyzicus, Metrophanes was alive during the first Ecumenical Council (325), but could not partake due to his age and ill health, so he sent instead Alexander, whom he destined as his successor.[1] Metrophanes was most likely already dead by then.[4][5]Socrates writes that Alexander succeeded Metrophanes sometime before 319.[6]
^Socrates of Constantinople, Historia Ecclesiastica, I, 37. "The thirtieth year of Constantine's reign was completed... At that time that Alexander, who had some time before succeeded Metrophanes, presided over the church at Constantinople."