Metropolitan Philip

Saint Philip II of Moscow (1507-December 12, 1569) was one of a few Metropolitans of Moscow who dared openly contradict lay authorities. In 1652, Patriarch Nikon persuaded Tsar Alexis to bring his relics to Moscow, where he was proclaimed saint later that year.

Related Topics:
1507 - December 12 - 1569 - Metropolitans of Moscow - 1652 - Patriarch Nikon - Tsar Alexis - Moscow - Saint

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He was born Feodor Stepanovich Kolychev into one of the noblest boyar families of Muscovy. It is said that since childhood he was on friendly terms with Ivan IV of Russia. According to other accounts, he was involved in the conspiracy of Prince Andrey of Staritsa against Elena Glinskaya and, when their plans were discovered, escaped to the Solovetsky Monastery, where he took monastic vows at the age of 30.

Related Topics:
Boyar - Muscovy - Ivan IV of Russia - Andrey of Staritsa - Elena Glinskaya - Solovetsky Monastery

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Eleven years later, Philip was made hegumen of the monastery. During his term in office, they constructed two cathedrals, a brick-yard, many water-mills and storehouses, and a network of canals connecting 72 lakes. It is said that Philip took part in all these toils together with other monks. Most of Philip's projects in Solovki survive to this day.

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The tsar heard about the undefatigable monk and asked him to fill the vacant metropolitan see in Moscow. Philip agreed on condition that Ivan would abolish Oprichnina. In recompense, he promised not to meddle with the tsar's "domestic affairs", i.e. his inclination for sodomy and his notorious debauches. On June 25, 1566 Philip was enthroned as Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia.

Related Topics:
Moscow - Oprichnina - Sodomy - June 25 - 1566

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After a short interlude, however, Ivan the Terrible persisted with commiting murders under the aegis of Oprichnina. After the metropolitan publicly refused to bless Ivan's massacre of Novgorod, he was arrested during a liturgy at the Cathedral of Dormition and immured at the Otroch Monastery of Tver. In November 1568, the tsar summoned the Holy Synod, which had Filip deposed. A year later, he was strangled by the tsar's minion, Malyuta Skuratov. As if aware of his approaching death, Philip had asked to receive communion three days earlier.

Related Topics:
Ivan the Terrible - Novgorod - Liturgy - Cathedral of Dormition - Tver - 1568 - Holy Synod - Malyuta Skuratov

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