Oxford history of the christian church

Administration.

There is no full and compact account of either central or diocesan administration, though there are valuable detailed studies on particular aspects (see J. Darrouzès cited in pt. II above). The best brief introduction is probably E. Herman, “The Secular Church,” Cambridge Medieval History, vol. IV, pt. 2. L. Bréhier, Le Monde byzantin, II (Institutions) is fuller but was published in 1949 before a good deal of fresh material became available. There are two short studies on the synod in Constantinople, the sometimes misleading J. Hajjar, Le Synode permanent (σύνοδοζ ἐνδημου+̑σα) dans l'église byzantine des origines au XI^e siècle (OCA164, Rome, 1962) and R. Potz, Patriarche und Synode in Konstantinopel. Das Verfassungsrechtdes ökumenischen Patriarchates des ökumenischen Patriarchates (Vienna, 1971) which deserves to be better known. Instances of the various ways in which the canons had to be modified and ad hoc directives given to meet changing circumstances can be found in the rulings of Theodore Balsamon in Rhalles and Potles (see below under Reference Works) and more particularly revealing are those of Demetrius Chomatianus in J.-B. Pitra, Analecta Sacra et Classica, VI (Paris and Rome, 1891). Many examples of everyday practical problems can be seen by looking through the patriarchal and imperial registers (see below).