Timothy I

Timothy I was the Patriarch of the Church of the East from 780 to 823 and one of its most influential patriarchs. He was also an author, church leader, diplomat, and administrator. During his reign he reformed the metropolitan administration of the Church of the East, granting greater independence to the metropolitan bishops of the mission field but excluding them from participation in patriarchal elections. These reforms laid the foundations for the later success of Church of the East missions in Central Asia.