Mark of Ephesus

Mark of Ephesus was a hesychast theologian of the late Palaiologan period of the Byzantine Empire who became famous for his rejection of the Council of Ferrara-Florence (1438-1439). As a monk in Constantinople, Mark was a prolific hymnographer and a follower of Gregory Palamas' theological views. As a theologian and a scholar, he was instrumental in the preparations for the Council of Ferrara-Florence, and as Metropolitan of Ephesus and delegate for the Patriarch of Alexandria, he was one of the most important voices at the synod. At the beginning of the Council, Mark was initially favorable toward accepting the union. During the commission's work, he authored several theological works, including Ten Arguments Against the Existence of Purgatory, Summa of Sayings on the Holy Spirit, Chapters Against the Latins, Confession of Faith, and On the Time of the Transubstantiation. Over this period, he distanced himself from the idea of accepting the union, concluding that the teachings of the Western Church were inconsistent with the dogmas of the Ecumenical Councils. After renouncing the council as a lost cause, Mark became the leader of the Orthodox opposition to the Union of Florence, thus sealing his reputation as a defender of Eastern Orthodoxy and pillar of the Eastern Orthodox Church.