Ciriaco, Patriarch of Constantinople

CIRIACO, patriarch of COSTANTINOPOLI. - He was elected to this see in 595 under the emperor Maurizio. Continuing the tradition of his predecessor Giovanni IV “the Faster,” in the letter in which he informed Pope Gregorio I of his elevation and conveyed his profession of faith, C. appropriated the title of “ecumenical.” Like his predecessor Pelagio II, the Pope protested against this claim, and an exchange of letters ensued which remained without result. C. energetically opposed the attempt of the emperor Foca to seize Costantina, widow of Maurizio, and her daughters, who had taken refuge in a sacred place. In 607 Pope Bonifacio III obtained from Foca himself an edict forbidding the patriarch of Costantinopoli to use the ecumenical title; but this prohibition was not observed after the death of Foca. Meanwhile C. too had died, on 29 October 606, and was buried in the church of the Apostles; he left a reputation as a man of zeal and piety.