PIETRO SIKELIOTES (SICULO). — He is credited with a history of the Manichaeans or Paulicians (PG 104, 1240–1349); he is a much-discussed figure, and even his existence is not certain (Krumbacher, 78).
Karapet-Ter-Mkrttsian believes that the aforementioned work was composed only under the Empire of Alessio Comneno (1081–1118), but this opinion must be rejected, since the first part of the book Δήλγησις περὶ τῆς Μανίχαίων ἀναβλαστήσεως attributed to Fozio (PG 102, 16 A–264 A) almost verbally coincides with a part of the aforementioned book, and the basis of the manuscripts of the “Fozian” book dates back to the 10th century (cod. Vat. Pal. gr. 216). Since nos. 1–15 of the first book of the supposed work of Fozio are also found in other authors, namely Georgios Monachos and Hegumenos Petros, the question concerning the history of the Manichaeans attributed to P. S. remains highly complicated and thus far insoluble. Aristarchos, however, adduces probable reasons for attributing the work in question to Fozio instead.