Hierarch
Hierarch John IV the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople
VI век — †595
Also known as: Иоанн Нестеут
Hierarch John IV the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople (582-595) — a craftsman-engraver without formal education who became patriarch; the first Constantinopolitan primate to consistently adopt the title "Ecumenical Patriarch," which provoked strong objection from Pope Gregory the Great of Rome; compiled an influential penitential canon still used in confession practice.
Hierarch John came from a poor family and trained as a craftsman-engraver, without formal education. Under the influence of an ascetic example he adopted a strict ascetic way of life, was ordained deacon, and in 582 — according to tradition, against his own will — was elevated to the patriarchal see of Constantinople, which he held until his death in 595.
He was the first Patriarch of Constantinople to consistently and steadily adopt the title "Ecumenical Patriarch" (Οἰκουμενικὸς Πατριάρχης), which provoked a sharp objection from Pope Gregory the Great of Rome, who interpreted this title (in most scholars' view, mistakenly) as a claim to jurisdiction over all bishops of the Christian world.
He compiled an influential penitential canon ("the Rule of John the Faster"), which survives in several redactions and significantly influenced later confession practice in the Eastern Church. He received the epithet "the Faster" for his exceptionally strict fasting.
His feast is kept on August 30/September 12, and also on September 2/15.
IMPORTANT CONTAMINATION CORRECTION: the original stub gave the dating "272-337" — these are the reign dates of Emperor Constantine the Great, not the hierarch's genuine dates, as he lived in the 6th century (the same contamination by association with "Constantinople," already found and corrected for the isaiah_of_constantinople entry).