Bardas has quickly become the moving spirit…

Bardas has quickly become the moving spirit in the new regime.

A university is organized in Constantinople.

Ignatios, who had supported Theodora, is arrested and imprisoned in 858, and upon refusing to resign his office is deposed.

On December 25, Michael elevates to the patriarchate a layman, Photius, after the latter’s receipt of the lesser orders in six days.

Photius, a relative of the Patriarchs Tarasios and John VII Grammatikos, had after completing his own education begun to teach grammar, rhetoric, divinity and philosophy.

Following the marriage of his brother Sergios to Irene, a sister of Theodora, and Theodora’s assumption of the regency, Photius had become a captain of the guard and subsequently chief imperial secretary.

At an uncertain date, Photius had participated in an embassy to the Arabs.