St. Nicephoruse, Patriarch of Constantinople

“Without whom (the Romans presiding in the seventh Council) a doctrine brought forward in the Church could not, even though confirmed by canonical decrees and by ecclesiastical usuage, ever obtain full approval or currency. For it is they (the Popes of Rome) who have had assigned to them the rule in sacred things, and who have received into their hands the dignity of headship among the Apostles.” (Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople [A.D. 758–828], Niceph. Cpl. pro. s. imag. c 25 [Mai N. Bibl. pp. ii. 30]).