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THE PATRIARCHAL LIBRARY OF CONSTANTINOPLE
The purpose of the present study is to offer a historical overview of the Patriarchal Library at the Phanar, Istanbul. I will review how it has evolved and the services it has provided and continues to provide. I will also indicate the status of the present collection and offer some recommendations..
I. From the Founding of Constantinople through the 6th Century
Constantinople was established when Emperor Constantine the Great decided to transfer the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to the shores of the Bosporus in 325 AD. In a short period of time the new capital city became the intellectual center of the empire, overshadowing Athens, Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Beirut. Great schools were established, and many who subsequently sought advanced education came to the City.
Great centers of learning and library collections developed under the patronage of both patriarchs and emperors, who had a great love for education. Intellectuals also made important contributions in the imperial service that added to the collections of the great libraries. The extensive holdings included numerous manuscripts from ancient times and from the Alexandrian period, as well as contemporary works, which were being continuously produced. As a result, the many libraries of Constantinople became very rich in both content and depth.
There were four types of libraries in Byzantium-imperial, patriarchal, monastic, and private. This study will focus primarily on the library of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, summarizing its history from the establishment of the capital of the Roman Empire in Constantinople to the present time.1
The Patriarchal Library emerged to house books and other documents needed by the Patriarchate. Professor Staikos articulates the purpose of this library very well. He notes that the Patriarchal Library was formed to become the nucleus of theological thought. Patristic, dogmatic, polemical, and hermeneutic texts were needed and were assembled to support proponents of the Orthodox Faith in the constant struggle to correctly interpret Holy Scripture. The Patriarchal library has existed since the inception of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and is perhaps the most ancient library in Christendom.2
Constantinople was formally inaugurated as the capital of the Roman Empire on May 11, 330. Although explicit references are lacking, the presupposition is that the Patriarchal Library has its...