Balsamon, Theodoros

BALSAMON, bɑ̄l´sa-mɵn, THEODOROS: Greek writer on church law; b. in Constantinople; d. there about 1200. He was chosen patriarch of Antioch in 1193, but, as the patriarchate was in the hands of the Latins, remained in Constantinople. The most important of his writings is the commentary on the Nomocanon and Syntagma of Photius, in which he helped to make general the view that in matters of the Greek canon law, not the Justinian compilation, but the Basilica were authoritative. Balsamon’s “Answers" to the patriarch Mark of Alexandria and his eight “Dissertations" (Gk. meletai) are of great importance for the canon law of the Greeks.

Philipp Meyer.

Bibliography: The best edition of his juridical writings is found in Rhalles and Potles, Σύνταγμα τῶν θείων καὶ ἱερω κανόνων, 6 vols., Athens, 1852-59; Krumbacher, Geschichte, passim.