Methodius Kudriakov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudryakov)
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Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudriakov)
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| Born | 11 March 1949 Kopychyntsi, Ternopil Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
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| Died | February 24, 2015 (aged 65) |
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Metropolitan Mefodiy, born Valeriy Andriyovich Kudryakov, was an important leader of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. He was the Metropolitan of Kyiv and all Ukraine. He was born on March 11, 1949, and passed away on February 24, 2015, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
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The Life of Metropolitan Mefodiy
Valeriy Kudryakov was born in a town called Kopychyntsi, in the Ternopil Oblast region of what was then the Ukrainian SSR.
He served in the Soviet Army from 1969 to 1971. Later, he decided to study religion and attended the Moscow Theological Seminary from 1977 to 1981.
Becoming a Priest
On June 27, 1981, Valeriy became a celibate deacon. This means he was a church official who helps the priest but does not marry. The very next day, he was ordained as a priest.
In 1985, he was given the job of Dean in the Ternopil region. A Dean is a senior priest who oversees a group of churches. In 1986, he continued his religious studies at the Moscow Theological Academy.
Challenges and Return
In 1987, Valeriy faced a challenge. His local bishop, Metropolitan Nykodym (Rusnak), stopped him from doing any church work. This happened because Valeriy supported the idea of the Ukrainian Church being "autocephalous." This means he believed the Ukrainian Church should be independent and govern itself, rather than being controlled by another church.
However, in 1989, the ban was lifted. Valeriy was allowed to return to his duties as a priest in the Lviv and Ternopil area.
Joining the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church
In 1990, Valeriy joined the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC). This church wanted to be independent. In 1993, he became a monk and took the name Methodius. This name was chosen after Saint Methodius, a famous teacher of the Slavonic people.
In 1995, he was made a bishop. He became the Bishop of Khmelnitsky and Kamenetz-Podolsk. Later that year, after the death of Patriarch Volodymyr, Bishop Mefodiy officially joined the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
In 1997, he became an archbishop, and in 1999, he was made the Metropolitan of Ternopil and Podil. A Metropolitan is a very senior bishop who leads a large church region.
Leading the Church
In 2000, Metropolitan Mefodiy was chosen to temporarily lead the UAOC after the Patriarch's death. Later that year, on October 16, he was officially elected as the Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. The Primate is the main leader of the entire church.
In 2002, he took on the title "Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine." This title showed his leadership over the church in Ukraine and around the world.
As the head of the UAOC, Metropolitan Mefodiy worked to make the church more known globally. He visited the United States in 2006 and traveled to Western Europe. He also worked to keep good relationships with the Ukrainian government and other religious groups.
Important Achievements
In 2005, Metropolitan Mefodiy won a legal case. This case helped the UAOC get back its main offices and the Church of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki. These buildings had been used by another group.
He also oversaw the renovation of the Ternopil Orthodox Theological Academy. This school's courses were updated to meet modern standards. In 2008, the first students graduated from this newly improved school.
Through his efforts, the historic Church of St. Andrew the First-Called in Kyiv was returned to the UAOC in 2008. This church is a very important landmark in Kyiv.
Later Life and Legacy
Metropolitan Mefodiy passed away on February 24, 2015, in Kyiv, at the age of 65. He was buried in Ternopil.
After his death, a special foundation was created in his memory. This foundation works to publish his writings, create a museum about the modern history of the UAOC in Ternopil, and share his ideas. One book published by this foundation is called "One Nation, one Language, one Church." It includes articles and studies that look at important church events in Ukraine's history.
Metropolitan Mefodiy's writings often explained the reasons behind the challenges faced by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He also suggested ways to overcome these issues and connect with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which is a very important leader in the Orthodox Christian world.
Important Awards and Honors
Metropolitan Mefodiy received several important awards for his service:
- Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 5th class (2008).
- Order of Merit 1st Class of Ukraine (2009).
- Order of Merit 2nd Class of Ukraine (2003).
- Order of Merit 3rd Class of Ukraine (2001).
