Michael (Μιχαήλ) III was a Byzantine and Eastern Roman emperor in the 9th century. He was given the epithet of "Drunkard" (Μέθυσος) by historians following his reign. He faced mixed success against the Arabs and conflict with the Bulgarians was emerging. Michael oversaw a synod in Constantinople that excommunicated Pope Nicholas I and instigated the Photian Schism. Michael also is known for sponsoring the missionary work of Saints Kyrillos and Methodios who would evangelize the Bulgarians and Moravia. Michael III was given his epithet for his supposed habitual drunkenness and unpleasant nature, leading him to mock church processions. He did end iconoclasm for it to never return which cements his relationship with various institutions as complex.