Moechian Controversy

   The church controversy over the second marriage of Constantine VI (q.v.) that pitted the independent Stoudios monastery against both church and state. The controversy was created when Constantine divorced his wife to marry his mistress Theodote in 795. This was considered adultery (moechia) by many in the church, especially by Theodore of Stoudios, Plato of Sakkoudion (qq.v.), and their followers, who were persecuted for opposing the marriage. Patriarch Tarasios (qq.v.), who had reluctantly agreed to the marriage, only reversed his support when Constantine VI was deposed and blinded in 797. The priest (Joseph) who had performed the second marriage was deposed, and Theodore and Plato reconciled with Tarasios. This would have ended the matter had not Nikephoros I (q.v.) called a synod of laymen and clerics in 806 to recognize the marriage. Priest Joseph was received back into the church, and the controversy resumed, with the monks of the Stoudios monastery again leading the opposition. Michael I (q.v.) reversed all this when he came to the throne in 811 by excommunicating Joseph and recalling the Stoudites from exile. This was a triumph for Theodore of Stoudios, who had long struggled to maintain both the independence and influence of the Stoudios monastery.