After the death of Ignatius in 877, the Emperor made Photius again Patriarch of Constantinople. A council was convened in 879, held at Constantinople, comprising the representatives of all the five patriarchates, including that of Rome (all in all 383 bishops). John VIII would recognize the validity of Photius's claim upon the restoration of the patriarchate in Constantinople. This council, sometimes called the eighth ecumenical in the Orthodox Church was attended by the papal legates, who had brought with them a gift from the pope—a pallium for Photius.
This extended letter to the khan of the Bulgars attempts to encapsulate to the essence of Christian faith and the divine guidance it offers to believers, emphasizing the significance of virtues and the importance of ecumenical councils in establishing orthodox teachings. It outlines the foundational beliefs encapsulated in the Symbol of Faith, affirming the Trinity and the dual natures of Christ. The text recounts the proceedings and outcomes of seven significant ecumenical councils, detailing their collective efforts to combat heresies, affirm the nature of God, and establish the worship of sacred images in Christianity, ultimately underscoring the unity and divinity of the Christian faith.
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