Tryphon of Constantinople

Tryphon was Patriarch of Constantinople from 928 until 931.

Tryfon was a monk in some monastery in Asia Minor when, in December 928, he was elected to replace Patriarch Stephen II of Constantinople. He was known for his pious life.

As Patriarch, he enjoyed the support of emperor Romanus Lecapenus who funded his projects to help the poor and the monasteries.

In 931, that all changed as Romanus asked him to step down so he could appoint his own son, Theophylactus, as Patriarch. Tryphon refused to resign in favour of the 14-year old boy as this would cause a scandal.

Romanus then resorted to trickery: he enlisted the help of Caesarea Metropolitan Theophanius who obtained Tryphon's signature on a blank piece of paper. The resignation was then written above the signature and Tryphon was removed. Theophylactus was ordained in February 933 after he attained the age of 16.

Upon Tryphon's death, the Eastern Orthodox Church canonised him a saint. His memory is celebrated on April 19.