Patriarch Joseph of Moscow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joseph
Patriarch of Moscow and all the Rus'
Patriarch Joseph, a 19th-century hand-drawn lubok
Church	Russian Orthodox Church
See	Moscow
Enthroned	March 27, 1642
Reign ended	April 15, 1652
Predecessor	Joasaphus I
Successor	Nikon
Personal details
Born	Russia
Died	April 15, 1652
Buried	Dormition Cathedral, Moscow

Joseph (Russian: Иосиф), also known by his birth name Ignaty Dyakov (Russian: Игнатий Дьяков), was an important leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. He served as the sixth Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia from 1642 until his death in 1652. He was chosen for this high position after a long break of about a year and a half without a patriarch.

Early Life and Path to Leadership

Not much is known about Joseph's early life. Before he became the Patriarch, he was an archimandrite. An archimandrite is a high-ranking monk, similar to an abbot, who leads a monastery. Joseph was the leader of the Simonov Monastery before his election.

Becoming Patriarch

How Joseph Was Chosen

Joseph's election as Patriarch was quite special. It was the first time a patriarch was chosen by drawing lots. This means candidates were put forward, and one was picked by chance, like drawing names from a hat. This method was used after the tsar (the Russian emperor), Mikhail Fyodorovich, worked with a group of bishops to suggest candidates. Joseph was elected on March 20, 1642, in Moscow. He officially took office on March 27.

Joseph's Role and Policies

Patriarch Joseph was known for his traditional approach to church matters. He focused on keeping things as they had been. He was titled "master" during his time as Patriarch.

One interesting event happened in 1644 when a Danish prince named Valdemar Christian came to Moscow. He was going to marry the Russian princess, Irina Romanova. Patriarch Joseph tried to convince Prince Valdemar to join the Orthodox faith, which was necessary for the marriage. When the prince refused, Joseph started a public discussion about it. This discussion mostly focused on how christening should be done.

In 1650, Joseph also held another discussion about the differences between Russian and Greek Orthodox practices with Paisius I, who was the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Helping the Church and Education

Improving Church Services

Patriarch Joseph cared deeply about making churches and their services beautiful and proper. He helped improve the way church services were performed. For example, he introduced a new style of singing called "narechnoye singing" in churches. He also helped dedicate the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl in 1650. He even brought a special gift to the church: a piece of the Lord's robe.

Supporting Education and Books

Joseph believed in the importance of learning. He worked to build new schools in Moscow. He even invited smart people, called scientists, from Kyiv to help teach there.

He also made sure that many religious books were printed. He ordered "Instructions" to be published for priests and regular people. The religious books printed during his time are very important because they show how church texts and rituals were before later changes. These books are still highly valued today and have been printed again many times.

Later Years and Legacy

In early 1649, Patriarch Joseph called a Church Council. This meeting discussed how church services were sometimes done in different parts of the temple at the same time.

Joseph passed away on April 15, 1652, on Maundy Thursday. He was buried in the Dormition Cathedral, Moscow in Moscow, right next to the tomb of the first Patriarch, Job. Joseph had chosen this spot himself shortly before he died.

He left behind a large amount of money that he had saved. He wanted to buy land for the church. However, he didn't leave a will. So, according to the Tsar's wishes, most of his savings were given to monasteries and churches.