The issue of autocephaly of local churches is open to the present. Having plunged into the history of confessional disputes, it is safe to say that the adoption of autocephaly is not so much a religious as a political process.
This article will be devoted to the first attempt of the Russian Orthodox Church to obtain such autonomy. Already in the 11th century it was clear that submission to Constantinople causes significant damage to the Russian state.
Historical and political prerequisites for the election of the Metropolitan from Russian
The cause of the conflict, which grew into a real war between the Greeks and Russians during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise, was an incident involving merchants from Kievan Rus.
In Constantinople, a merchant from Kiev was killed, while property that belonged to the deceased was confiscated in favor of the emperor. News of the incident quickly reached Kiev and caused a storm of indignation among the ruling elite and, of course, directly from the prince. Indeed, shortly before this, negotiations were held that stipulated similar situations and measures to resolve disputed issues, but the Greeks acted absolutely against the agreements adopted.
Military campaign against the Greeks
Prince Yaroslav sends an expeditionary force to the Eastern Roman Empire, headed by the eldest son of the prince, who goes by sea. Near the western shores of the Black Sea, a squadron of Slavs fell into a great storm, losing more than a third of their ships. The rest of the troops, moving by sea, were attacked by Greek ships. After such troubles, part of the still usable ships was sent back, landing at the same time. On the way back, the prince’s ships were again overtaken by the Greek squadron, but this time luck was on the side of the soldiers of Prince Yaroslav. The ships of the Greeks were sunk in large numbers.
Six thousand soldiers who were able to land ashore continued their campaign, led by the troops of the experienced voivode Vyshat. The news of the destruction of the fleet infuriated Emperor Konstantin Monomakh, so the issue of the landed assault should have been decided with the utmost cruelty by the emperor’s plan.
After a series of clashes, the governor Vyshat was surrounded and captured with the remnants of the detachment, in this case the Greeks used a very cruel punishment, which, in principle, has already been used in history, it’s enough to recall Vasily II the Bolgaroboyets. The remaining Russian soldiers were blinded and sent home, of course, such an act by the Greeks did not contribute to ending the war.
The death of Metropolitan Theognost as a prerequisite for the election of Hilarion
In 1048, Metropolitan Theognostus dies . In connection with the crisis of Greek-Slavic relations, the new metropolitan cannot come to Russia. It should be noted that before that all hierarchs were sent from Constantinople. Prince Yaroslav the Wise understands that the situation is critical and that it is necessary to act quickly and harshly. Therefore, he decides to appoint a Metropolitan compatriot without the permission of Byzantium. The choice falls on the inhabitant of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the future first hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, who becomes Hilarion of Kiev.
Rapprochement of the future Metropolitan and Prince
Even before his monastic feat, Hilarion of Kiev was distinguished by an ascetic life, imitating the ancient anachoretes.
Sources say that he dug himself a cave in the forest. In it, he spent solitary hours in prayer. Subsequently, the monk Anthony settled there, returning from Athos. From that moment, the spiritual authority of Hilarion begins to grow in the eyes of the population of ancient Kiev. After some time, most likely, in the 50s of the XI century, people begin to resort to various tips of this person. The prince made him head of his own temple.
Hilarion of Kiev, Metropolitan: biography
Information on the life of the future saint and the first metropolitan of the Russians is not very much. It is authentically known that Metropolitan Hilarion of Kievan and All Kievan Rus was from Kiev. There is no doubt that the works that have come down to our time testify to the excellent preparation of the author both in theology, canon law, and in knowledge of the rules of oratory.
There is an assumption that he owned the Greek language, which he studied on Mount Athos or in Constantinople, and possibly was in the West, where he became acquainted with Western theology and worship. However, such hypotheses do not have reliable confirmation.
Prior to his bishop consecration, Hilarion, Metropolitan of Kiev, was first a priest in the village of Berestovoye, located near Kiev, and served in the church belonging to the prince.
Regarding his personal qualities as a shepherd and a man, evidence has not been preserved. However, the fact that he headed the princely parish testifies to a certain spiritual authority that this man won in the eyes of the prince. The only data about Hilarion, Metropolitan of Kiev, can be found in the annals, which speak of him as a man of a virtuous life, a fasting and a scribe. However, understanding what the latter means is difficult. Undoubtedly, this is said about his well-read. But whether it is limited to the study of the holy fathers and their creations, or to a systematic education, is difficult to judge. In modern science, disputes regarding this still do not stop.
Cathedral of Russian Bishops
In 1051, Prince Yaroslav the Wise, gathering local bishops, held a synod, after which, independently of Constantinople, Priest Hilarion was elevated to the throne of Kiev as metropolitan.
Based on the analysis of the surviving documents, we can conclude that Metropolitan Hilarion of Kiev absolutely supported the internal and external political course chosen by Yaroslav the Wise.
The subsequent fate of the Metropolitan
After the death of the Grand Duke, who fought for the independence of the church from Constantinople, this church and political figure was almost deposed, a protege from Byzantium was sent instead. This event occurred in 1055. The further fate of the first metropolitan of the Russians is unknown, there are several versions:
- He independently left the department and lived out his days as a resident of the Kiev-Pechersky monastery.
- The cause of the appearance of the Metropolitan from Byzantium was the death of Metropolitan Hilarion of Kiev, but in this case the question of whether it was natural remains open.
- He was forcibly removed from the department and imprisoned in a monastery.
Thus, the biography of Metropolitan Hilarion of Kiev is an illustration of the process of the desire of the young church on the territory of Kievan Rus for autocephaly and the Byzantine unwillingness to lose leverage over the state and society, providing independence for the newly formed metropolis.
Public activity of Metropolitan Hilarion
Many scholars of the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, such as Kartashov, Golubinsky, Metropolitan Makarii, Smirnov, often try to give a historical assessment of this phenomenon in the history of the Russian state. A logical question arises: "Hilarion of Kiev, Metropolitan, what did the state and the church do, how did this affect the development of these two institutions of public life?"
The future hierarch was not only engaged in church affairs, but also participated with the prince in the formation of the legal system of Kievan Rus. Thanks to his direct participation, the legal system operating in the territory of Kievan Rus was created and systematized.
Participation in the organization of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra
He also took an active part in the construction of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Having a very close relationship with the prince, he received the necessary land for the construction of the future center of spiritual culture of the entire Russian state.
In addition, the saint took part in the formation of the library, which was created at the Cathedral of St. Sophia. His authorship belongs to a number of church and literary monuments, which are a real work of art of ancient Slavic writing.
Literary activity of St. Hilarion
The most significant work belonging to him is a literary work, which completely upturned the idea of scientists about the intellectual development of Kievan Rus. Was a highly educated man, Hilarion of Kiev, Metropolitan. The "Word of Law and Grace" indicates that a symphony of power was needed.
The most famous researcher of the literary heritage of Ancient Russia Likhachev D.S. believed that this work was written at a high level. The author has built a logically verified text, the simplicity of the narrative and the variety of literary techniques testify to the talent of the person who wrote it. Rhythmically correctly spaced speech equates this text with similar literary monuments of Byzantine authors. He wrote other works by Metropolitan Hilarion.
Kievan Rus is the state that gave the light to such a talented person. In addition to the above-mentioned work, he also owns several works that have survived to our time.
An interesting work is “Confession of Faith”, written on the occasion of episcopal ordination. According to custom, the delivered cleric to the bishops should publicly talk about his theological convictions so that all present can understand that he is not a heretic.
He also owns the prayer, which is called "The Prayer of the Rev. Father Hilarion of Russia, Metropolitan of Russia", which makes an unforgettable impression on the reader with poetry and an abundance of poetic images.
In addition, he is the author of "Praise" in honor of Yaroslav the Wise, written after he was put on the throne of the Metropolitan.
Canonization of St. Hilarion
The question of canonization remains open now. It is not known for certain when this event occurred, it is possible that the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, Hilarion of Kiev, was canonized without the definition of a church cathedral. However, most church historians believe that there was no direct decision of the council on this issue. The reason was popular worship. The relics of this saint are in the Near Caves of the Kiev-Pechersky Monastery. Memorial Day is celebrated on October 21.
To date, no reliable images have survived, which depict Hilarion of Kiev, Metropolitan. The photos presented in the article confirm this. Also, in accordance with Russian traditions, the relics are vested, they are not shown to the general public. You can only see a photo of the tomb, where the relics of the saint are.