My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
OUR HOLY FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS, MARK EVGENIKOS,
METROPOLITAN OF EPHESUS, CHAMPION, AND GUARDIAN
OF ORTHODOXY.
Saint Mark Evgenikos, our holy and God-bearing Father, was born in 1392. He lived the greater part of his life in Constantinople. The father of the Saint, George, was at first a Deacon and later proto-ekadikos, proto-notarios and great chartophylax of the patriarchate. The Saint’s mother, Maria, was the daughter of the well-known physician, Loukas. Both of St. Mark’s parents were the scions of renowned and devout families. In all likelihood the Saint’s ancestors hailed from Imvros or Trebizond. When the Saint first beheld the light of the sun, his home was in Galata of Constantinople.
Before he embraced the monastic life, the young Mark was named Manuel. From his earliest youth, the lad distinguished himself in his studies. When Manuel was thirteen, his father reposed. He dedicated himself even more to his scholarly pursuits. All his biographers–his brother, the famous orator John, Manuel led a monastic and ascetic life. As if he were an Angel living on earth. The sterling qualities of the holy youth were noticed by both Patriarch Efthymios II of Constantinople and Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos (1391-1425 A.D.) He appointed Manuel as his personal secretary and entrusted him with editing his own writings. Indeed, a preeminent position in government already awaited Manuel together with the honor and admiration of the world.
Nevertheless, the world weighed heavily upon the blessed man. Among his many qualities, he possessed humility, and, therefore, he sought neither glory which is vain, nor riches that fade, nor the favor of the Imperial Court. The young Manuel desired monastic perfection in the eremitic life, so that he might concentrate his soul and hear in prayer and in the remembrance of God. He believed there could be no greater good than unceasing joy in the Lord and in the illumination that comes only from the remembrance of God.
Manuel decided to pursue the silence that he so desired, and to attain inner quietness, peace and, ultimately, ascent to God. He subjected himself to harsh asceticism and to the prudent administration of his Elder Symeon. Shortly after settling in the monastery, the godly Symeon was translated to the heavenly mansions. After his novitiate, Manuel received the name Mark at his holy tonsure. Mark was wholly engrossed in one activity, of which he never tired both day and night: studying the Divine Scripture and enriching himself with their understanding (which his writings clearly reveal).
George Scholarios comments, "Father Mark was a spiritually pure person. Even as a young man, before his became a monk, he was wise in the struggles of asceticism. He dwelt as though in the desert. Upon the brotherhood’s constant urging and insistence, Mark, with heaviness of heart and against his will, accepted the dignity of ordination. In 1420 A.D., at twenty-eight years old, the monk Mark was made a Deacon. Then, two years later, he was ordained to the Priesthood. His brother, John, makes this comment about Father Mark and how he served the Divine Offices: "When Father Mark celebrated the Divine Liturgy, he was filled by Divine inspiration to such an extent that all who beheld him said that he appeared to be outside of himself, outside even the earth, and completely immersed in God, like an Angel in the flesh.
The political atmosphere in the Christian East was very serious. Events at that time included the sack of Serbia and Bulgaria by the Turks, the defeat of the crusaders at Nikopolis, the fruitless journey of Manuel II through Western Europe and, finally, the conquest of Thessaloniki by the Turks in 1430 A.D. Economically, the dismembered and enfeebled Empire lay in complete ruin. Therefore, from 1431 A.D. onwards, fresh negotiations began to work TOWARD A UNION WITH THE CHURCH OF ROME when the former Venetian Cardinal, Gabriel Candulmer, that is Eugene IV (1431-1437 A.D.), was Pope.
Emperor John VIII was hard pressed by the Turkish advances. In despair, he resolved to conclude NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO CHURCHES. Again, he hoped to obtain the frequently promised Western help against the infidel, even AT THE COST OF ECCLESIASTICAL SUBMISSION TO ROME. Rome DEMANDED RECOGNITION OF HER SUPREMACY AS ESSENTIAL AND, IN RETURN, PROMISED HELP AGAINST THE ONCOMING TURKS. However, she was not actually capable of supplying Latin military power in the East–only that the state could spare on repairs to the great land-walls of the City of Constantinople, so that they might be ready for the inevitable Turkish onslaught.
Although previous attempts at union ENDED IN DISILLUSIONMENT AND OFFERED LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT, there was still an influential circle in Constantinople which favored a policy of agreement with Rome as the only hope in their hour of danger. The Emperor put himself at the head of this group, in spite of the very strong Orthodox nationalistic party against the union…Nevertheless, envoys were sent to the Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, requesting their presence at a council with the aim of uniting the East and West. As delegates to the proposed council, the Patriarch of Alexandria chose Metropolitan Anthony of Herakeia and Priest-Monk Mark Evgenikos. The name of the blessed Mark had been heard abroad for he was distinguished in virtue and wisdom.
Then, one day, as Patriarch Joseph was sitting in his cell with other bishops, he made a perceptive statement, He said, "They desire the council to convene in Italy and that the Latins should subsidize our entire trip. If we are to expect daily rations solely at their hands, we have already become their servants and hirelings, and they the lords. The servant is obliged to do the bidding of his lord, as the hireling must perform that for which he is being paid…"
The Priest-monk Mark Elevated to Metropolitan
At that time, Emperor John looked upon Saint Mark with much love and respect. In fact, many of the Saint’s theological works written at the Emperor’s request. The Emperor respected the holy Mark’s thorough knowledge of the principles of Orthodoxy. He also appreciated his clear and disciplined mind, which quickly perceived the errors of the enemies of Orthodoxy. With the death of Metropolitan Joseph of Ephesus, and for many other reasons, the Emperor insisted that the holy Mark accept the See of Ephesus and be ordained (consecrated) Metropolitan. He understood that Mark had a pure and incorruptible love for the truth and could develop sound ideas. It was the Emperor’s desire that Saint Mark attain to this rank, so as to occupy a suitable place among the Greek representatives, namely, the place of chief theologian of the Orthodox. He sensed that the Office of Bishop was beyond his worth and powers. Nevertheless, he was enjoined by many respected persons, including the Ecumenical Patriarch. Therefore, obedient to the Patriarch, the Emperor, and to the genuine need of theTrue and Only Church of Christ, he submitted to the Synod and its decision for his elevation. Thus, it was plain that he accepted this high ecclesiastical rank SOLELY FOR THE DEFENSE OF ORTHODOXY, which he loved. Indeed, the power and genius of the holy man’s words were needed by the Orthodox, so as not to be led astray by the innovators who were already preparing a wayward path.
Saint Mark, however, was a cautious man. Desiring to receive enlightenment and help from above for the mighty labor that lay ahead in Italy, Mark, in prayer, invoked the Holy Trinity, and beggeds the intercessions of God’s holy Angels and the Lady Theotokos. He prayed that God would put "His fear into his heard heart."
In the intervening time, Emperor John was nearing agreement with Pope Eugene IV, who was taking over the leadership in negotiations for union. The Pope wished to have negotiations take place in the Northern Italian city of Ferrara, where the Emperor himself would attend. The year was 1437 when Pope Eugene IV officially transferred the council to Ferrara,..
"…After the preliminary prayer, Saint Mark was permitted to address all present and to thank the Pope for assembling the Council. Saint SMark also made it clear THAT THE ORTHODOX HIERARCHS HAD NOT COME TO ITALY TO SIGN A CAPITULATION. The Orthodox would NOT sell the Faith for the benefit of their crumbling state. Their purpose in attending the Council WAS FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF TRUE DOCTRINE. Saint Mark, the star of the Church of Christ, made it clear to the West that THE PURITY OF ORTHODOXY MUST BE PRESERVED. He indicated that negotiations could end in failure if Rome DID NOT CONCEDE AND RENOUNCE HER INNOVATIONS. The Westerners had introduced DOGMAS AND LITURGICAL PRACTICES UNKNOWN TO THE ANCIENT CHURCH, WHICH HAD LED TO SCHISM BETWEEN ROME AND BYZANTIUM. The fiery teacher of piety then said THAT IF THE CHURCH OF ROME DESIRED TO FINISH AS WELL AS SHE HAD BEGUN–THAT IS, FROM THE TIME OF THE APOSTLES–THEN SHE MUST RETRACT HER DOCTRINE ON THE PROCESSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND NOT PERFORM THE LITURGY WITH UNLEAVENED WAFERS (AZYMES). Furthermore, Saint Mark pointed out to them that UNION WAS JUST AS NECESSARY TO THE WEST, BECAUSE ALL CHRISTIANS HAD A COMMON ENEMY–THE MOSLEM TURKS.
It was visibly apparent that the Pope and his committee received Saint Mark’s address with cold disdain. When Emperor John and others among the Greeks, who were not present, learned of Saint Mark’s words, they, too, were indignant. They did not wish for the differences between East and West to be mentioned. As a result, the Emperor almost surrendered Mark, to the judgment of the Greek council for daring to express such opinions before the Western delegates. As the real head of his committee, the Emperor authorized only certain persons to speak with the Latin delegates. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
(To be continued)
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 