Barsoum was born in the 13th century, and became the abbot of the Monastery of Gawikat, near Mopsuestia in Cilicia.[2][4] After the death of Patriarch Philoxenus I Nemrud, Barsoum was consecrated as his successor as patriarch of Antioch in November 1292 by Iyawannis, archbishop of Tarsus, and Basil, archbishop of Jerusalem, and assumed the name Michael.[5][6] Schism within the church erupted at this time as Constantine proclaimed himself patriarch at Melitene, and Ignatius bar Wahib was consecrated as patriarch of Mardin in January 1293.[7]
Michael issued a general proclamation on 6 January 1295 declaring his ascension to the patriarchate, and excommunicated Constantine of Melitene and his supporters.[2] The proclamation was also signed by the aforementioned Iyawannis and Basil.[5] In 1301, he resided at the White Monastery near Dara.[8] He served as patriarch of Antioch until his death on 7 December 1312.[2]
References
Notes
^He is counted as either Michael I as the first patriarch by that name in Cilicia,[1] Michael II after Michael I (r. 1166–1199),[2] or Michael III after Michael II the Younger (r. 1199-1215).[1]