Our Father among the Saints John V, Patriarch of Constantinople
Life
John V was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in the second half of the seventh century, holding the throne for a term most commonly dated from 669 to 675. He rose to the patriarchate after a career in the clergy of the capital, and his tenure coincided with the reign of Emperor Constantine IV and the early years of the first Arab siege of the city.
He is remembered as a defender of the Orthodox faith during the theological controversies of his era. His feast is observed on August 18.
Timeline 3 moments
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669Elevation to the patriarchateJohn succeeded Thomas II as Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, having previously served the church of the capital as presbyter, protekdikos, chartophylax of the patriarchate, and skevophylax of Hagia Sophia.
674Beginning of the first Arab siegeDuring his patriarchate the Umayyad Caliphate began the first siege of Constantinople, which lasted from 674 to 678.
675ReposeJohn's term ended around 675; he was succeeded by Constantine I of Constantinople.
Contributions & Legacy
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Career and Patriarchate
Before his elevation, John held a sequence of offices within the church of Constantinople. Reference accounts list him as a presbyter of the city, as protekdikos, as chartophylax of the patriarchate, and as skevophylax of Hagia Sophia, indicating a long service in the administrative and liturgical life of the capital before he became patriarch.
His patriarchate fell during the reign of Emperor Constantine IV, called Pogonatos, who ruled from 668 to 685. Sources disagree on the exact length of John's tenure: one account gives roughly four years and a few months, others five years and nine months, and Theophanes records six years. He is described as a steadfast adherent of Orthodox faith and teaching amid the theological disputes of the period. He was preceded by Thomas II and succeeded by Constantine I.
