Cornelius (Jakobs) facts for kids
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Metropolitan Cornelius (born Vyacheslav Vasilyevich Yakobs) was an important leader of the Estonian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate. He was a metropolitan bishop of Tallinn and All Estonia. He was born in Tallinn, Estonia, on June 19, 1924, and passed away there on April 19, 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Cornelius was born in Tallinn in 1924. His family had moved to Estonia after the Russian Revolution in 1917. His father was a colonel in the Russian army.
After finishing school in 1943, he began his church service. He worked as a psalm reader in a church in Tallinn. A psalm reader helps lead church services by reading from the Bible.
In 1945, he became a deacon, which is a step in becoming a priest. Later, in 1948, he was ordained as a priest. He then became the leader of St Mary Magdalene Church in Haapsalu. He also studied by mail and graduated from the Leningrad Theological Seminary in 1951.
Church Career and Leadership
In 1957, Cornelius faced a difficult time. He was arrested and spent time in prison. This was because he had religious books and talked about his faith, which was not allowed by the government at that time. He was released early in 1960. Later, in 1988, his name was officially cleared.
After his release, he returned to Estonia. He became the leader of the John the Forerunner Church in Tallinn. In 1974, he became a widower, meaning his wife passed away. He continued his dedicated service to the church.
Becoming a Bishop
In 1990, Cornelius took special vows to become a monk and was given the name Cornelius. Soon after, he became a bishop in Tallinn. This was a very important step in his church career.
In 1992, the Estonian Orthodox Church gained more independence. Bishop Cornelius became the head of the church in Estonia. His title was Bishop of Tallinn and all Estonia.
Rising Through the Ranks
As years passed, he received higher titles in the church. In 1995, he became an archbishop. Then, in 2000, he was given the highest title: Metropolitan of Tallinn and all Estonia.
Metropolitan Cornelius was known for encouraging people to understand Estonian culture. He believed it was important for Orthodox Christians in Estonia to be part of the country's life. He became the oldest bishop in the Russian Orthodox Church. He celebrated his 90th birthday in 2014 and even wrote a book about his life.
Awards and Honours
Metropolitan Cornelius received many awards for his long and dedicated service to the church. Some of these include:
- 1966 - Patriarchal deed
- 1971 - Order of St. Vladimir Grand Duke Wladimir III degree
- 1986 - Order of St. Sergius III level
- 1991 - Order of the Finnish Orthodox Church - Knighthood of the Holy Lamb
- 1996 - Order of the Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, II degree
- 1999 - Order of St. Sergius II degree
- 2002 - Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, III degree
- 2004 - Order of St. Equal to the Apostles Prince Vladimir II degree
- 2007 - Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, II degree
- 2009 - Order of the Holy Martyr Isidore of Yuriev I degree (Estonian Orthodox Church)
- 2009 - Order of St. Sergius I degree
- 2014 - Order of St. Innocent of Moscow I degree
- 2014 - Order of St. Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles I degree
