council · 861 · Constantinople
The 'Prime-Second' council in the church of the Holy Apostles examined Ignatius' deposition and confirmed Photius on the throne, papal legates assenting. Nicholas I disowned his legates and deposed Photius from afar; the affair hardened into the Photian schism — the dress rehearsal for 1054.
The Council of Constantinople of 861, also known as Protodeutera, was a major Church Council, convened upon the initiative of Emperor Michael III of Byzantium and Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople, and attended by legates of Pope Nicholas I. The Council confirmed the deposition of former Patriarch Ignatius of Constantinople, and his replacement by Photios. Several dogmatic, ecclesiological and liturgical questions were also discussed, and seventeen canons were produced. Decisions of the Council were initially approved by papal legates, but their approval was later annulled by the Pope. In spite of that, the Council is considered as valid by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Photius confirmed with Rome's own legates concurring — then Rome changes its mind.