Callistus II of Constantinople was a Byzantine monk and spiritual writer who served as the Ecumenical Patriarch in 1397. Born around 1301 in Constantinople, he was a practitioner of the Hesychast tradition, which was common among many high-ranking clergy during the 14th century. His brief tenure as patriarch occurred during the reign of Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos, a period when the city faced a siege by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I.
Life and career
A member of the Xanthopoulos monastery, Callistus lived and worked within the Byzantine Empire. His monastic background in Hesychasm shaped his spiritual writings and leadership. He held the highest office in the Eastern Orthodox Church during a time of significant political and military pressure on the capital city.
Veneration
He is remembered as a saint within both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. His memory is commemorated annually on 22 November in the Orthodox Church.