ABSTRACT
In the analysis of the Letter to Theophilos undertaken in the previous pages I have argued that the three Melkite patriarchs, probably in 836, on the eve of Theophilos’ major victory of 837, addressed a synodical letter to the emperor, where they dealt with some dogmatic questions in a way that was wholly compatible with the iconoclast doctrine, as we saw in Chapter 21.5. Moreover, they wished the emperor further victories that would eventually enable the reunification of all the Christians lands under his sway (see Chapter 21.7). This significant text was later manipulated and expanded in order to create a political manifesto in defence of icon worship, although neither the exact place where the forgery was made nor the person responsible for it can be easily ascertained (see Chapter 21.8).
