Photius, << FOH shee uhs >> (A.D. 820?-891?), was a noted Byzantine scholar and clergyman. He became patriarch (bishop) of Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in 858. Under the leadership of Photius, a meeting of Eastern patriarchs in 867 challenged papal authority in the Balkans and denounced the pope. This dispute began the great argument between the Greek and Roman Catholic churches that later ended in their separation.
In addition, Photius was known for his digest of the writings of classical Greek authors. The Myriobiblion (also called the Bibliotheca) is a collection of extracts from, and criticisms and abridgments of, 280 volumes by classical authors. Many originals of these writings are now lost. Photius was born in Constantinople.
