Transfer of the Metropolitan Department from Vladimir to Moscow (date)

The transfer of the metropolitan chair from Vladimir to Moscow is an important step in the formation of the Russian state and in the elevation of Moscow. The unique geographical position, the growing influence of the Moscow Principality in the northeastern lands and the adherence policy of the Moscow princes very quickly made Moscow the new center of the Russian state.

Prerequisites of elevation

The chronicles, written after the death of Andrei Bogolyubsky, mention Moscow as a city where Muscovites live - the inhabitants of Moscow. The name of the city is found in the annals of many military events of that time. Moscow has become a point on the map, in which they meet friends and reflect the onslaught of enemies. A small recent town quickly becomes a special city of personal reign. The transfer of the metropolitan chair from Vladimir to Moscow would not have taken place had it not possessed the necessary size and influence by the middle of the fourteenth century.

Formation of a new Orthodox center

The famous Ivan Kalita made Moscow the center of not only political but also religious life. Prior to this, the center of worship and the permanent residence of the Metropolitan was Vladimir on the Klyazma. The passage of time and constant maneuvering between the obstinate princes, Tatar proteges and their own rebellious people reduced the significance of Vladimir. The battle for the status of the center of Russian Orthodoxy broke out between Moscow and its eternal rival, Tver.

The struggle for the Metropolitan

The transfer of the metropolitan chair from Vladimir was accompanied by a fierce struggle between Moscow and Tver. The princes of these lands vied with each other to please the Tatar khan, trying to persuade the all-powerful Mongols to their side. Meanwhile, a monk of one of the Tver monasteries wrote a complaint to Constantinople against Metropolitan Peter. The facts of simony (distribution of church posts) and neglect of church duties were expressed.

For the ruler of all Russia there was a real threat of deposition. But such an event would not have been possible without the approval of the numerous Russian clergy, and the church Tatar khans and their mediators preferred not to interfere in business. For them, taxes and tributes, regularly brought by Russian princes, were more important. And the spiritual side of life the khans preferred not to discuss and the policy of the church did not exert influence.

The ascent of Peter to the throne of the metropolitan was not without the influence of the Moscow princes. Having gained spiritual authority over the Orthodox, Peter did not forget the services rendered and fully supported the Moscow rulers. He lived in Moscow for a long time, died there, and was buried. Numerous offerings and petitions of the Moscow princes did their job - the late Metropolitan Peter was canonized under the name of the first Moscow and all Russia miracle worker. The transfer of the Metropolitan Department from Vladimir to Klyazma to Moscow has already become a half-settled issue.

Succeeded by the Wonderworker

The successor of Peter was the newly-evicted Greek Fiognost. At the end of 1327, the Patriarch of Constantinople Isaiah appointed him Metropolitan of Kiev with a permanent place of service in Moscow.

In 1328, Fognost visited the northeastern Russian lands, which, at the request of the Galician and Lithuanian princes, a separate metropolitanate was singled out. But Fiongna was not satisfied with the modest position of the patriarch of a county town. He set himself the goal of uniting northern and eastern Russia under one Orthodox cross. It was with him that the transfer of the metropolitan department from Vladimir to Moscow became finally possible. The date of the upcoming event was agreed with Constantinople. Fiognost set out to surpass all the famous Russian cities and make Moscow a single center of the Orthodox world.

Accomplishment of the capital

Perhaps the transfer of the metropolitan chair from Vladimir to Moscow under Prince Kalita would not have taken place had there been no such active support for the new metropolitan. With it, the construction of the Assumption Church was completed, and in 1328 two stone churches were built - an unprecedented innovation for the capital. The Church of St. Peter the Apostle and St. John of the Ladder became another stage in strengthening the importance of Moscow.

Solemn transfer

In the mid-30s of the 14th century, the active work of Feognost at the post of Metropolitan brought the first significant results. The canonization of the miracle worker Peter attracted to Moscow a mass of pilgrims and clergymen. Constant violent religious activities did not go unnoticed in the Patriarchate of Constantinople - the influence of the new metropolitan extended to all Russian lands.

At the highest levels, the transfer of the Metropolitan Department from Vladimir to Moscow began to be discussed. 1326 was the period of the final decision. Full approval of the Moscow princes, who already had the title of "All Russia" by that time, the support of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the policy of non-intervention of the Golden Horde completed the case. The transfer of the metropolitan department from Vladimir to Moscow was completed.

Consequences of the transfer

This event was a landmark for the Moscow prince. It repeatedly strengthened the position of secular power, making it equal to the spiritual one. Fognost was entirely on the side of Ivan Kalita, helping the latter in the matter of annexing neighboring lands to the Moscow principality. For example, Fognost widely enjoyed the privilege of the Roman popes to impose and remove curses not only on individuals, but even on cities and lands. So he imposed a curse on the inhabitants of Pskov and its environs for refusing to extradite the prince of Tver to Khan Ulugbek, thereby provoking the owner of the Golden Horde for new raids and destruction. Anathema gave a tangible result - Prince Tverskoy Alexander Mikhailovich left Pskov and went to the Lithuanian principality. After that, the curse was lifted.

The emergence of Moscow as the center of the Orthodox world

It is difficult to give a full assessment of all the benefits that the transfer of the metropolitan department from Vladimir to Moscow brought to the new capital. The date of this event (1326) is reflected in many chronicles and chronicles as a turning point in the life of the Moscow principality.

According to the old idea of the structure of the universe, both worldly and spiritual power are equivalent and unified. Therefore, the fact that both the sovereign and the metropolitan lived in the reigning city at the same time was natural and desirable.

Politics and the Church

Proceeding from these principles, both secular and spiritual power was equally beneficial to the transfer of the Metropolitan Department from Vladimir to Moscow. The year 1328 was remembered by the chroniclers of church festivals, which during this period were marked especially widely.

It was a time of comparatively peaceful coexistence of the Moscow Principality and the Golden Horde - Moscow became rich and prosperous. The princely court and the court of the metropolitan were located side by side, and in splendor and wealth were not inferior to each other. Lush religious processions and services on the occasion of submission to the bishops gathered in the capital the entire color of the church hierarchy with high guests from the eastern Russian lands and from Constantinople itself. All the magnificent festivities took place in Moscow with a large crowd of people. It was possible to challenge Moscow's claims to nearby lands, but religious authority was undeniable: ignoring the Moscow metropolitan threatened with excommunication from the church.

Why did it happen

One of the most important facts, because of which the transfer of the metropolitan chair from Vladimir to Moscow did take place, was the provision of various significant benefits and monetary allowances. In comparison with what the representatives of ecclesiastical authorities received in the neighboring principalities, the benefits were unheard of, and the money donations were enormous. The Moscow princes did not risk anything - their position was so strong that they could confidently choose among the bishops the most loyal. An important role was played by the unique geographical location of Moscow, and the proximity of relations with Constantinople. An important argument was that the Metropolitan of All Russia did not infringe on anyone's interests among the church authorities, therefore he was equally loyal to all the bishops. Metropolitan Peter began the formation of the supremacy of the Moscow Patriarchate, and his successor duly completed the transformation of Moscow into the capital of the Orthodox faith.