Saints Gennadius and Maximus Patriarchs of Constantinople
They celebrate every year on November 17
Both pastors of the Church are always worthy!
Gennadius I succeeded in the year 458 AD. the Patriarch of Constantinople Anatolios. Previously he was an elder in the same Church. This Patriarch worked fruitfully for the return of many heretics to Orthodoxy. Among them, Markianos, who espoused the fallacies of the Navatians, returned through Gennadius, whom he made steward of the Great Church.
Gennadius I also persuaded the emperor Leo the Thracian to exile the heretic Peter Knapheus, when he seized the throne of Antioch from the orthodox Patriarch Martyrius.
Also during the reign of Gennadius, the emperor Leo Makellis legislated the sanctification of Sunday. Gennadios did not ordain a priest unless he knew well the interpretation of the Psalms. He also convened a Synod in Constantinople, where a circular “against finance towards ordination” was issued. After this conscientious and sacerdotal state, Gennadius I died in 471 AD.
Now as to the Patriarch Maximus, it is not sufficiently determined which of the Patriarchs of Constantinople, who bear this name, is the Saint. In all probability, however, it is about Maximus III (1476 – 1482 AD). He came from the Peloponnese and worked in many ways to improve morals. In fact, he tirelessly taught the people the divine word every Sunday.