Episcopal succession
The Bishops of Constantinople to AD 400
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The first eight holders of the newest of the great sees — founded with the city in 330 and, within fifty years, ranked second only to Rome.
8 names, AD 337 to 400 · 3 contested
A short and violent list. The see was contested between Nicene and Arian claimants for most of its first sixty years, and three of these eight were installed or removed by imperial power rather than by the church.
Ordered by year of death, which is how the whole archive is ordered. For this see that is not always the order of succession — see above.
Who were the bishops of Constantinople before AD 400?
- 1 Alexander of Constantinople c. 240 – c. 337 Bishop of Constantinople
- 2 Paul of Constantinople d. c. AD 351 (strangled at Cucusus) Nicene bishop of Constantinople · Martyr of the Arian ascendancy contested
- 3 Macedonius of Constantinople d. c. 362 Bishop of Constantinople · Namesake of the Pneumatomachi
- 4 Maximus the Cynic fl. AD 380–381 (death unrecorded) Philosopher-adventurer · Intruded bishop of Constantinople contested
- 5 Demophilus of Constantinople d. c. AD 386 Last Arian bishop of Constantinople contested
- 6 Gregory of Nazianzus 329 – 390 Archbishop of Constantinople · “The Theologian”
- 7 Nectarius of Constantinople d. 397 Archbishop of Constantinople
- 8 John Chrysostom c. 347 – 407 Preacher of Antioch · Archbishop of Constantinople
Each name links to its profile: the dates, the office, and every primary source that carries the name.