Saint Callistus I, Patriarch of Constantinople

Life

As a disciple of Gregory of Sinai, he struggled ascetically on Athos at the skete of Magoula near the Monastery of Philotheou for a full twenty-eight years. There he later built the monastery of Saint Mammas. He was elected Patriarch of Constantinople in the year 1350. After four years he withdrew from the patriarchal throne again to the Holy Mountain. But in the time of Emperor John Palaeologus he was again returned to the throne, where as patriarch he remained until his death. He reposed in the year 1368 on a journey from Serres, where he had gone to the Serbian Empress Helena to ask for help against the Turks. Together with Ignatius he composed a fine guide for ascetics. Besides this he wrote the life of Saint Gregory of Sinai and Saint Theodosius of Trnovo, as well as numerous homilies. It is interesting to mention how Saint Maximus of Kapsokalyvia prophesied the death of Patriarch Callistus. On the way to Serbia, Callistus stopped at the Holy Mountain. Seeing him, Saint Maximus said: "This elder will not see his flock again, for behind him is heard the funeral chanting: Blessed are the blameless in the way."