Germanus of Kazan and Svjazsk
Encyclopedia
Metropolitan Gherman or Saint Gherman (born Grigory) (? - November 6, 1568) was an archbishop
of Kazan
and later Metropolitan of Moscow.
Gherman took monastic vows in Volokolamsk Monastery. Here he served under Hegumen
Guriy (who would become archbishop of Kazan), and was engaged in copying books. Upon organizing his congregation in Kazan, St. Guriy called for Gherman and appointed him head of Bogoroditsky Monastery in Sviyazhsk
. The Russian Orthodox Church
attached great importance to this monastery
in terms of spreading Christianity
among the non-Russians in the Kazan region. Upon Guriy's death in 1564, Gherman was elected his successor. At the insistence of Ivan the Terrible and against Gherman's will, he was appointed Metropolitan
of Moscow
in 1566. Soon, Gherman demanded from the Tsar
to abolish the Oprichnina
When the Tsar seized land from the aristocrats and imposed repression in a policy called the Oprichnina
, Gherman demanded the Tsar to abolish it. Gherman was banished from Moscow
disgracefully for this opposition.
Gherman died in Moscow in 1568. His relics were then transported to Sviyazhsk, where they are resting to this day in Bogoroditsky Monastery. The Russian Church celebrates his memory on November, 6 and July, 23 (the day his relics were transferred from Moscow to Sviyazhsk).
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Kazan
Kazan
Kazan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. With a population of 1,143,546 , it is the eighth most populous city in Russia. Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia. In April 2009, the Russian Patent Office granted Kazan the...
and later Metropolitan of Moscow.
Gherman took monastic vows in Volokolamsk Monastery. Here he served under Hegumen
Hegumen
Hegumen, hegumenos, igumen, or ihumen is the title for the head of a monastery of the Eastern Orthodox Church or Eastern Catholic Churches, similar to the one of abbot. The head of a convent of nuns is called hegumenia or ihumenia . The term means "the one who is in charge", "the leader" in...
Guriy (who would become archbishop of Kazan), and was engaged in copying books. Upon organizing his congregation in Kazan, St. Guriy called for Gherman and appointed him head of Bogoroditsky Monastery in Sviyazhsk
Sviyazhsk
Sviyazhsk or Zöyä is a rural locality in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, located at the confluence of the Volga and Sviyaga Rivers...
. The Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
attached great importance to this monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
in terms of spreading Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
among the non-Russians in the Kazan region. Upon Guriy's death in 1564, Gherman was elected his successor. At the insistence of Ivan the Terrible and against Gherman's will, he was appointed Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
in 1566. Soon, Gherman demanded from the Tsar
Tsar
Tsar is a title used to designate certain European Slavic monarchs or supreme rulers. As a system of government in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire, it is known as Tsarist autocracy, or Tsarism...
to abolish the Oprichnina
Oprichnina
The oprichnina is the period of Russian history between Tsar Ivan the Terrible's 1565 initiation and his 1572 disbanding of a domestic policy of secret police, mass repressions, public executions, and confiscation of land from Russian aristocrats...
When the Tsar seized land from the aristocrats and imposed repression in a policy called the Oprichnina
Oprichnina
The oprichnina is the period of Russian history between Tsar Ivan the Terrible's 1565 initiation and his 1572 disbanding of a domestic policy of secret police, mass repressions, public executions, and confiscation of land from Russian aristocrats...
, Gherman demanded the Tsar to abolish it. Gherman was banished from Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
disgracefully for this opposition.
Gherman died in Moscow in 1568. His relics were then transported to Sviyazhsk, where they are resting to this day in Bogoroditsky Monastery. The Russian Church celebrates his memory on November, 6 and July, 23 (the day his relics were transferred from Moscow to Sviyazhsk).