Leo of Synada

Leo of Synada (ca. 940 – after 998) was a Byzantine cleric, diplomat and writer of the late 10th century.

Born ca. 940, Leo served as synkellos before becoming metropolitan bishop of Synada in Phrygia. In 996–998, he was sent as an envoy to the Pope in Rome along with a certain Kalokyros. During this embassy, Leo supported the antipope John Philagathos, despite his strong personal dislike of the man. Leo was also involved in a mission to the court of "Frankia" (the Holy Roman Empire under Otto III) to negotiate a marriage alliance with Constantinople.

Leo and his life are known only through his letters, written during the reign of Basil II (r. 976–1025) and addressed to the emperor and various senior church and civil officials. Most of his letters have been dated to the 990s, but some may be later still. According to Alexander Kazhdan, "mild humor and sarcasm fill the letters and esp. Leo's will, written at the age of 66", where he "calculates the number of his sins at 48,180".

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