As a result, when the governor (strategos) of Sicily, Sergios, driven by a false message that Constantinople had fallen to the Arabs, declared a rival emperor in the person of Basil Onomagoulos, Leo named him as Sergios' replacement and sent him to Sicily to restore control. It was probably on this occasion that he was raised to the rank of patrikios, although Patriarch Nikephoros implies that he already held the title.
When the governor of Sicily, Sergios, was misled by a false message claiming Constantinople had fallen to Arabs, he proclaimed Basil Onomagoulos as his rival emperor. Leo then appointed him as Sergios' successor and sent him to Sicily to regain control. It is likely that on this mission, he was elevated to the rank of patrikios, though Patriarch Nikephoros indicated he already held the title.