The life of St Gennadius of Constantinople
Rather than let the divide widen, he worked to draw both traditions toward language they could share.
A synod he called in Constantinople in 459 gave shape to that effort, and, counseled by Pope Leo I in Rome, he moved decisively against the Monophysite party, deposing Timotheus Aelurus, who had seized the rival claim to the see of Alexandria. Alongside this governing work he wrote commentaries on Genesis, Exodus, Daniel, the Psalms, and the letters of Paul, of which only fragments now survive, enough to place him among the exegetes trained in the literal, historical reading associated with the school of Antioch.
He governed the Church of Constantinople for thirteen years in all, remembered from his earliest days in office for his zeal both for sound doctrine and for good order, and died peacefully in 471.
