Career
Born in Constantinople, he was a fellow student of Michael Psellus and John Xiphilinus. He rose to high court offices: appointed protovestiarios, he later became proedros ("president") of the Senate and was one of the senior aides of emperors Michael V and Constantine IX. He also became abbot of the imperial Mangana Monastery, and in 1059, following the dismissal of Michael I Cerularius, he was elected into the patriarchal office, which he held until his death.
