Byzantine Emperor Who Had His Son Canonized?

[David Amicus]

I remember once reading about a Byzantine Emperor who had his son canonized but I can not remember who. I think the son was in his teens or 20s when he died.

[Windemere]

Post by David Amicus
I remember once reading about a Byzantine Emperor who had his son canonized but I can not remember who. I think the son was in his teens or 20s when he died.

I think that you're referring to Emperor Theodore II Laskaris. When Theodore died, he was succeeded by his 7 year old son, who became Emperor John IV Laskaris. John had been born on Christmas day seven years earlier. Not long after his accession, a powerful Byzantine nobleman , Michael Palaiologus, had himself proclaimed co-emperor with young John. Several years later, fearing that his political opponants might seek his removal, Michael had John blinded on his birthday, Christmas day. John was 11 years old at this time. Michael had him sent to a monastery in Asia Minor, where he lived as a monk under the name of Joasaph. John lived there as a monk for many years, and he actually out lived Michael Palaiologus. Michael was succeeded by his own son, who became Emperor Andronikus II Palaiologus. Many years later, Andronicus visited the monastery where Joasaph (John) was living, and apologized for his father's actions.

The Byzantine Church considered John an innocent victim of circumstances, and canonized him at a later date.

[Windemere]

Post by David Amicus
I remember once reading about a Byzantine Emperor who had his son canonized but I can not remember who. I think the son was in his teens or 20s when he died.

I think that you're referring to Emperor Theodore II Laskaris. When Theodore died, he was succeeded by his 7 year old son, who became Emperor John IV Laskaris. John had been born on Christmas day seven years earlier. Not long after his accession, a powerful Byzantine nobleman , Michael Palaiologus, had himself proclaimed co-emperor with young John. Several years later, fearing that his political opponants might seek his removal, Michael had John blinded on his birthday, Christmas day. John was 11 years old at this time. Michael had him sent to a monastery in Asia Minor, where he lived as a monk under the name of Joasaph. John lived there as a monk for many years, and he actually out lived Michael Palaiologus. Michael was succeeded by his own son, who became Emperor Andronikus II Palaiologus. Many years later, Andronicus visited the monastery where Joasaph (John) was living, and apologized for his father's actions. I think that John (Joasaph) was middle-aged, probably in his fifties, when he eventually died.
The Byzantine Church considered John an innocent victim of circumstances, and canonized him at a later date.

[Windemere]

Post by David Amicus
I remember once reading about a Byzantine Emperor who had his son canonized but I can not remember who. I think the son was in his teens or 20s when he died.

I think that you're referring to Emperor Theodore II Laskaris. When Theodore died, he was succeeded by his 7 year old son, who became Emperor John IV Laskaris. John had been born on Christmas day seven years earlier. Not long after his accession, a powerful Byzantine nobleman , Michael Palaiologus, had himself proclaimed co-emperor with young John. Several years later, fearing that his political opponants might seek his removal, Michael had John blinded on his birthday, Christmas day. John was 11 years old at this time. Michael had him sent to a monastery in Asia Minor, where he lived as a monk under the name of Joasaph. John lived there as a monk for many years, and he actually out lived Michael Palaiologus. Michael was succeeded by his own son, who became Emperor Andronikus II Palaiologus. Many years later, Andronicus visited the monastery where Joasaph (John) was living, and apologized for his father's actions. I think that John (Joasaph) was middle-aged, probably in his fifties, when he eventually died.

The Byzantine Church considered John an innocent victim of circumstances, and had him canonized at a later date.

[David Amicus]

Post by Windemere

Post by David Amicus
I remember once reading about a Byzantine Emperor who had his son canonized but I can not remember who. I think the son was in his teens or 20s when he died.

I think that you're referring to Emperor Theodore II Laskaris. When Theodore died, he was succeeded by his 7 year old son, who became Emperor John IV Laskaris. John had been born on Christmas day seven years earlier. Not long after his accession, a powerful Byzantine nobleman , Michael Palaiologus, had himself proclaimed co-emperor with young John. Several years later, fearing that his political opponants might seek his removal, Michael had John blinded on his birthday, Christmas day. John was 11 years old at this time. Michael had him sent to a monastery in Asia Minor, where he lived as a monk under the name of Joasaph. John lived there as a monk for many years, and he actually out lived Michael Palaiologus. Michael was succeeded by his own son, who became Emperor Andronikus II Palaiologus. Many years later, Andronicus visited the monastery where Joasaph (John) was living, and apologized for his father's actions. I think that John (Joasaph) was middle-aged, probably in his fifties, when he eventually died.

The Byzantine Church considered John an innocent victim of circumstances, and had him canonized at a later date.

Thank-you!