Divrigi Sivas Turkey

Paulicianism, revived in the early ninth century, had expanded into Cilicia and Asia Minor under Sergius (Tychicus), who had made it strong enough to survive the persecution and massacre instigated by Emperor Michael III and his mother, the empress Theodora, in 843-844.

The power of the Paulicians, considered by Constantinople to be dangerous and heretical, has grown to great extent on the borders of the Armenian province in Asia Minor under the sects' current leaders, Karbeas and Chrysocheir, who are crushed militarily by 872, largely owing to the efforts of Basil's son-in-law Christopher.

Many Paulicians flee Anatolia for the Balkans as the empire expands eastward toward the Euphrates.