He was born in Constantinople, to very famous, wealthy and pious parents. His father Sergius was the guardian of the imperial court and the brother of the Holy Patriarch Tarasius, who presided over the VII Ecumenical Council. This family, during the time of Emperor Theophilus, was deprived of their property by the iconoclasts, tortured and exiled. Saint Photius had longed for a monastic life since childhood, but the Orthodox Emperor Michael, against his will, appointed him his first advisor and secretary. Also, against his will, he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople. At a false council, he was overthrown from the patriarchal throne, then restored and overthrown again. An unwavering protector of the Church against the power-hungry Pope of Rome. He reposed in the Lord in the year 891.

Saint Vucolos, Bishop of Smyrna. Holy Martyr Fausta. Holy Martyr Dorothea. Venerable Barsanuphius and John. Holy Martyrs Martha and Mary and their brother Licarion.