Sixth Council of Constantinople (Premysloides Dynasty)

Background
Until 1732 and Seventh Council of Constantinople, Sixth Council was last Orthodox Council for many hundred years and last council during Emperor Romanos life.

While Fifth Council tried to hide it or suppress it, Sixth Council openly modernized and reformed Orthodox Church, But modern reforms and reorganization of now called Imperial Orthodox Church, was not most important element of Sixth Council of Constantinople.

Participation and Council Articles
Sixth Council was less attended than Fifth. Attendance was only from Orthodox Church and its Patriarchates. Only very few non-Orthodox observers were present.

Also, only Imperial Palace was used for Council meetings and Emperor personally attended all discussions and votings.

Aside of some minor and various reforms, there were only two main articles of Council: State of Church after 57 years since Fifth Council and 60 years since Imperial Restoration and title of God-Emperor.

State of Church
According reports read out by every each Orthodox Patriarch, most of dioceses and patriarchates accepted Fifth Council reforms and decisions. Opponents of reforms were purged after Manuel Angelos campaign, when critics joined his rebellion against Empire and disgraced their cause.

Reports, in most patriarchates, also declared that religious freedom and tolerance improved social situation and relations among minorities and majority of population, decreased religious and ethnic conflicts and improved imperial authority.

Other reports announced increase of Orthodox population, increase of Orthodox Church income from gifts and donations and many success of Saint Basil Brotherhood in their activities.

God-Emperor
Second point was secret and revealed by Emperor himself at nearly end of Council. However, tendencies and propaganda strengthening Emperor authority and position in Empire, population and Imperial Orthodox Church, was long. Many years later, from Emperor published diaries, it was revealed that Emperor wanted already on Fifth Council declared himself God-Emperor, but Chadenos and Sophronius warned him about possible consequences.