Michael II of Constantinople
Michael II of Constantinople, born Michael Kourkouas (also known as Michael Oxeites), was the Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch from July 1143 to March 1146. He was chosen by Emperor Manuel I Komnenos after the deaths of Patriarch Leo and the emperor John II in 1143. The coronation as patriarch occurred on 28 November 1143 after a delay.
During his time as patriarch, he oversaw the trial of a monk named Niphon. On 22 February 1144, Michael II condemned Niphon for supporting two Cappadocian bishops accused of heresy and later found guilty of Bogomil practices, which led Orthodox believers to distance themselves from Niphon.
Michael II resigned in March 1146 and returned to the Oxeia monastery, likely due to disillusionment with the emperor. He died sometime after 1146. Predecessor: Leo of Constantinople; Successor: Cosmas II of Constantinople. Denomination: Eastern Orthodoxy.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 20:52 (CET).