Editing Justinian II (section)

==Legacy==
Justinian's reign saw the continued slow and ongoing process of transformation of the Byzantine Empire, as the traditions inherited from the ancient Latin Roman state were gradually being eroded. This is most clearly seen in the coinage of Justinian's reign, which saw the reintroduction of the [[Loros]], the traditional consular costume that had not been seen on Imperial coinage for a century, while the office itself had not been celebrated for nearly half a century.<ref>Grypeou, Emmanouela (2006). ''The encounter of Eastern Christianity with early Islam'', BRILL, 2006, p. 69</ref>  This was linked to Justinian's decision to unify the office of [[Roman consul|consul]] with that of emperor, thus making the Emperor the head of state not only de facto but also de jure. Although the office of the consulate continued to exist until Emperor [[Leo VI the Wise]] formally abolished it with Novel 94,<ref>{{harvnb|Kazhdan|1991|p=526}}</ref> it was Justinian who effectively ended its status as a separate political entity. He was formally appointed as Consul in 686,<ref>[[Bede]], [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book5.html Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, Book V] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814160844/http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book5.html |date=14 August 2014 }} (Chapter VII)</ref> subsequently adopting the title for all the Julian years of his reign, consecutively numbered.

Though at times undermined by his own despotic tendencies, Justinian was a talented and perceptive ruler who succeeded in improving the standing of the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Norwich, p. 345" />  A pious ruler, Justinian was the first emperor to include the image of Christ on coinage issued in his name<ref name="Kazhdan, p. 1084" /> and attempted to outlaw various pagan festivals and practices that persisted in the Empire.<ref name="Ostrogorsky, pp. 116-122"/>  He may have self-consciously modelled himself on his namesake, [[Justinian I]],<ref name="Norwich, p. 328" /> as seen in his enthusiasm for large-scale construction projects and the renaming of his Khazar wife as Theodora.<ref name="Ostrogorsky, pp. 116-122"/>  Among the building projects he undertook was the creation of the ''[[triklinos]]'', an extension to the imperial palace, a decorative cascade fountain located at the ''[[Augusteum]]'', and a new Church of the Virgin at [[Petrion]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bury|1889|pp=325–326}}</ref>

The veneration of Justinian II in the Orthodox Church is the subject of debate and confusion, as there are discrepancies in different Synaxarions. The Synaxarion of Constantinople from the 10th century lists the commemoration of the "Emperor Justinian", giving no reference of the emperor's life or whether it is Justinian I or II.<ref>Συναξαριστής REF BX 393 .N54 1929 v2</ref> Contemporary footnotes comment that this must be Justinian II, since Justinian I died in heresy, a position not held by the Orthodox Church today.<ref>Gerostergios, Fr.Asterios (2004). ''The Justinian the Great The Emperor and Saint'', p. 147</ref> According to Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite, Emperor Justinian II was a bad man who lived a bad life, and he could not imagine that he would be commemorated as a saint, since in the Synaxarion of Saint Kallinikos of Constantinople on August 23, it does not say he died in repentance. Saint Nikodemos suggests this must be Justinian I, who is also celebrated the 15th of November with his wife Theodora.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2019/08/saint-justinian-ii-rhinotmetos-pious.html?m=1 | title=Saint Justinian II Rhinotmetos, the Pious Emperor of the Romans (+ 711) }}</ref>

{{Infobox saint|name=Justinian II|image=Solidus of Justinian II, 2nd reign.jpg|caption=Justinian II Solidus|titles=Emperor|feast_day=2 August|honored_in=[[Eastern Orthodox Church]] (disputed)}}

Modern English translations and some Greek Synaxarions now list either Justinian I on August 2 or make no reference to either Justinian I or II. However, there are some Greek Synaxarions that list Justinian II.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Αυτοκράτορες που έγιναν Άγιοι|url=http://3gym-mikras.thess.sch.gr/auto_agioi_istorika.htm|access-date=17 July 2021|website=3gym-mikras.thess.sch.gr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ορθόδοξος Συναξαριστής :: Άγιος Ιουστινιανός Β' ο βασιλιάς|url=https://www.saint.gr/2195/saint.aspx|access-date=17 July 2021|website=www.saint.gr}}</ref>