Did Pope John VIII strike down Constantinople IV?

[Reformed_Rob]

In reading about the “filioque” I’ve come across several assertions that John VIII struck down the 4th Council of Constantinople’s anathematizing of Photius. Here’s what is supposed to be a direct quote from a book:

Finally in Pope John VIII’s Commonitorium or Mandatum ch. 10, which was read by the papal legates at the third Session of the same Council, we find the following: “We [Pope John VIII] wish that it is declared before the Synod, that the Synod which took place against the aforementioned Patriarch Photios at the time of Hadrian, the Most holy Pope in Rome, and [the Synod] in Constantinople [869/70] should be ostracized from this present moment and be regarded as annulled and groundless, and should not be co-enumerated with any other holy Synods.” The minutes at this point add: "The Holy Synod responded: We have denounced this by our actions and we eject it from the archives and anathematize the so-called [Eighth] Synod, being united to Photios our Most Holy Patriarch. We also anathematize those who fail to eject what was written or said against him by the aforementioned by yourselves, the so-called [Eighth] Synod."

and also,

A similar condemnation is found in Pope John VIII’s Letter to Photios where he writes: “As for the Synod that was summoned against your Reverence we have annulled here and have completely banished, and have ejected [it from our archives], because of the other causes and because our blessed predecessor Pope Hadrian did not subscribe to it…”

Both those quotes are from here.

Anyone care to comment upon this? I’ve searched but couldn’t find much defending the Catholic side on this. It’s your 8th Ecumenical Council, or is it?? Note, I’m not concerned about the Council’s saying the Creed can’t be altered, and etc. that’s not an issue with me. Been there already, that’s cleared up for me.

Thanks!

 

[Todd_Easton]

Apparently, an emperor deposed the legitimate Patriarch of Constantinople, Ignatius, and had Photius installed in his place as Patriarch. Under a new emperor the Council of Constantinople IV came together and anathemitized Photius for his usurpation and Ignatius was rightfully restored as Patriarch. However, after Ignatius died, Photius legitimately succeeded him to the Patriarchship of Constantinople, and that’s when Pope John VIII called for the anathema against Photius made by the Council of Constantinople to be annulled and records of it ejected from archives. It seems the Council of Constantinople IV was mainly disciplinary in character not doctrinal.

Links to more on Photius of Constantinople and the Council of Constantinople IV

 

[Reformed_Rob]

Todd Easton:

Apparently, an emperor deposed the legitimate Patriarch of Constantinople, Ignatius, and had Photius installed in his place as Patriarch. Under a new emperor the Council of Constantinople IV came together and anathemitized Photius for his usurpation and Ignatius was rightfully restored as Patriarch. However, after Ignatius died, Photius legitimately succeeded him to the Patriarchship of Constantinople, and that’s when Pope John VIII called for the anathema against Photius made by the Council of Constantinople to be annulled and records of it ejected from archives. It seems the Council of Constantinople IV was mainly disciplinary in character not doctrinal.

Links to more on Photius of Constantinople and the Council of Constantinople IV

Hmmm, ok, thanks Todd! That helps about Photius legitimately coming to the Patriarchal chair later. I’ll check out those links.