Peter the Fuller, deposed from the Antiochene…

Peter the Fuller, deposed from the Antiochene see in 471, has spent the past five years in Constantinople, in retirement in the monastery of the Acoimetae, allowed to reside there in return for a pledge that he would not create further disturbances (Theophanes p. 104).

Peter’s fortunes revive during the short reign of Basiliscus, who, under the influence of his wife, advocates for the Non-Chalcedonians, recalls Timothy Aelurus, Patriarch of Alexandria, from exile, and by his persuasion issues an encyclical letter to the bishops calling them to anathematize the decrees of Chalcedon (Evagr.

H. E. iii.

4).

Peter gladly complies, and is rewarded by a third restoration to the see of Antioch, 476 (ib.

5).

Julian is deposed, dying not long after.

On his restoration Peter enforces the addition to the Trisagion, and behaves with great zeal against the Chalcedonian party, crushing all opposition by an appeal to the Syrian people, over whom he has gained control.

Once established on the patriarchal throne, he soon stretches its privileges to the widest extent, ordaining bishops and metropolitans for all Syria.

The fall of Basiliscus brings the ruin of all who had supported him and been promoted by him, and Peter is one of the first to fall.