Marble King

The myth of the Marble King sprung up among the oppressed Greek population in the time after the Fall of Constantinople. According to this myth, the last emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos was last seen charging into battle and mysteriously disappeared—a blatant historical falsehood. He is then to return before the end of the world, to rebuild the Roman Empire.

An example of the sort of variant detail which may be found in the myth is how, supposedly, the liturgy had been in progress at Hagia Sophia and the clergy disappeared into the walls during the fall of the city, as the liturgy could not be stopped and will be completed when the Marble King rises before the appearance of Antichrist.

It should be noted that Emperor Constantine XI was not Orthodox but a Uniate. Indeed, it is understood by the Orthodox Church that the city fell precisely because she had fallen away when the Union was agreed—ironically in exchange for military aid—and the Roman Catholic liturgy celebrated in Hagia Sophia. On this basis alone, all claims of Emperor Constantine being a saintly king to return at the end and of the clergy returning from the walls of the church, must be seen to be demonic.

Rather, the story should be understood as a variation of the common and popular desire for the return of the king which is expressed in other such myths. (E.g. King Arthur, or Roman Catholic claims regarding the return of the French king.) The True King will certainly return at the end of time, that is, Christ. Great caution should be applied in dealing with any mystical or mythical kings appearing in our times, as we are at risk of being deceived by Antichrist when he appears.

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Ephraimite variant

In the variant of the myth which was widely spread by Elder Ephraim, the Marble King is not Emperor Constantine XI but St. John III Doukas Vatatzes, who is supposed to be completely incorrupt to the point of appearing alive, and hidden beneath the city.