Photo: Days.Pravoslavie.Ru The emperor Constantine once came to Byzantium, and was delighted by the beauty and comfortable setting of the city. And having seen the holiness of life and sagacity of Saint Metrophanes, the emperor took him back to Rome. Soon Constantine the Great transferred the capital from Rome to Byzantium and he brought Saint Metrophanes there. The First Ecumenical Council was convened in 325 to resolve the Arian heresy. Constantine the Great had the holy Fathers of the Council bestow upon Saint Metrophanes the title of Patriarch. Thus, the saint became the first Patriarch of Constantinople.
Saint Metrophanes was very old, and was not able to be present at the Council, and he sent in his place the chorepiscopos (vicar bishop) Alexander. At the close of the Council the emperor and the holy Fathers visited with the ailing Patriarch. At the request of the emperor, the saint named a worthy successor to himself, Bishop Alexander. He foretold that Paul (at that time a Reader) would succeed to the patriarchal throne after Alexander. He also revealed to Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria that his successor would be the archdeacon Saint Athanasius.
Saint Metrophanes reposed in the year 326, at age 117. His relics rest at Constantinople in a church dedicated to him.
It should be noted that the Canons to the Holy Trinity in the Midnight Office in the Octoechos were not composed by this Metrophanes, but by Bishop Metrophanes of Smyrna, who lived in the middle of the ninth century.
Troparion — Tone 1
You proclaimed the great mystery of the Trinity, O good shepherd, / And manifested Christ’s dispensation to all, / Dispersing the spiritual wolves who menaced your rational flock, / Saving the lambs of Christ who cry: / Glory to him who has strengthened you! / Glory to him who has exalted you! / Glory to him who through you has fortified the Orthodox Faith!
Troparion — Tone 4
In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Metrophanes, / entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion — Tone 2
You clearly taught the faith of Christ, / and by keeping it you truly increased your faithful flock to a multitude; / and so, Metrophanes, you now rejoice with the angels and unceasingly intercede for us all.