Bishop Nikephorus of Constantinople (Istanbul) (AD 758-828)

Nicephorus was born into a Christian family in Constantinople around 758. During the anti-icon persecution of emperor Constantine V, Nicephorus withdrew to a monastery on the eastern shore of the Bosporus straight. He later served as secretary during Nicea’s Ecumenical Church Council in 787. After the death of bishop Tarasius, Nicephorus became Constantinople’s bishop and served nine years, from 806 to 815. Nicephorus confronted emperor Leo V when he started a new anti-icon movement of persecution in 813. He died in exile in June 828.