Patriarch Kirill of Moscow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kirill |
|
|---|---|
| Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' | |
Patriarch Kirill in 2023
|
|
| Native name | Кирилл |
| Church | Russian Orthodox Church |
| See | Moscow |
| Enthroned | 1 February 2009 |
| Predecessor | Alexy II |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 7 April 1969 |
| Consecration | 14 March 1976 by Nikodim (Rotov) |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyayev |
| Born | 20 November 1946 Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Denomination | Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Alma mater | Leningrad Theological Academy |
| Signature |  |
| Coat of arms |  |
Kirill or Cyril (Russian: Кирилл, Church Slavonic: Ст҃ѣ́йшїй патрїа́рхъ Кѷрі́ллъ, whose birth name is Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyayev, Russian: Владимир Михайлович Гундяев; born 20 November 1946) is a very important leader in the Russian Orthodox Church. He became the Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' on February 1, 2009. This means he is the main leader of the Russian Orthodox Church.
| Styles of Patriarch Kirill |
|
|---|---|
|
|
| Reference style | His Holiness |
| Spoken style | Your Holiness |
| Religious style | Patriarch |
Before becoming Patriarch, Kirill was an Archbishop in charge of Smolensk and Kaliningrad. He also led the Russian Orthodox Church's department for talking with other churches. He has been a permanent member of the Holy Synod since 1989. The Holy Synod is like a main council that helps run the Church.
Kirill is known for being a close supporter of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He has even called Putin's time in power "a miracle of God." During his leadership, Kirill has made the Russian Orthodox Church work more closely with the Russian government. His relationship with Bartholomew I of Constantinople, who is another very important leader for Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide, has been difficult.
Kirill has supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He has said the war is a fight against "forces of evil." The World Russian People's Council, which he leads, even called the conflict a "Holy War." Many religious leaders in other Orthodox Churches have disagreed with his statements. Bartholomew I said that Kirill's support for Putin and the war was "damaging to the prestige of the whole of Orthodoxy."
Contents
Early Life and Education
Kirill was born Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyayev in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) on November 20, 1946. His father, Rev. Mikhail Gundyaev, was a priest. His mother, Raisa Gundyaeva, was a German teacher. His older brother, Archpriest Nikolay Gundyaev, is also a professor at a theological school. His grandfather, Rev. Vasily Gundyaev, was imprisoned and sent away in the past for his church work.
After finishing eighth grade, Vladimir Gundyayev worked as a cartographer, drawing maps, from 1962 to 1965. He also continued his studies in secondary school. After graduating, he went to the Leningrad Seminary and then the Leningrad Theological Academy. He graduated with high honors in 1970.
On April 3, 1969, he became a monk and was given the name Kirill, after Saint Cyril the Philosopher. Soon after, he became a hierodeacon (a monk who is also a deacon) and then a hieromonk (a monk who is also a priest). From 1970 to 1971, Father Kirill taught Dogmatic Theology (the study of religious beliefs) and helped the head of the Leningrad Theological Schools. He also worked as a personal secretary to Metropolitan Nicodem.
Church Leadership Roles
Becoming an Archimandrite
On September 12, 1971, Kirill was promoted to the rank of archimandrite, which is a high rank for a monk-priest. He was sent to Geneva to represent the Russian Orthodox Church at the World Council of Churches (WCC). This organization brings together many different Christian churches. He has been involved in working with other churches ever since.
On December 26, 1974, he became the rector (head) of the Leningrad Academy and Seminary. From December 1975, he was also a member of the WCC's main committees. Since 1994, Kirill has hosted a weekly Orthodox television show called "The Word of the Shepherd" on Russian TV.
Serving as Archbishop
- On March 14, 1976, Archimandrite Kirill became a bishop.
- On September 2, 1977, he was promoted to the rank of archbishop.
- From 1988, he was the Archbishop of Smolensk and Kaliningrad.
- On November 13, 1989, he was put in charge of the department for external church relations. This department handles the Church's relationships with other churches and countries. He also became a permanent member of the Holy Synod.
- On February 25, 1991, Archbishop Kirill was promoted to the rank of metropolitan, which is a very high rank for a bishop.
During his time as a bishop, Kirill had many important duties. He worked on Christian unity, helped with the celebration of 1000 years of Christianity in Russia, and was involved in helping people after the Chernobyl accident. He also managed Orthodox parishes in different countries like Hungary, the Netherlands, and Finland for a time.
International Connections
On October 20, 2008, Kirill met with Fidel Castro, the leader of Cuba, during a trip to Latin America. Castro praised Kirill for working against "American imperialism." Kirill gave Fidel and Raúl Castro an award for building the first Russian Orthodox Church in Havana. This church was built for Russian people living there.
Becoming Patriarch of Moscow
On December 6, 2008, after the death of Patriarch Alexy II, the Russian Holy Synod chose Kirill to temporarily lead the Church. On January 27, 2009, the Church's main council (called the Local Council) elected Kirill I of Moscow as the new Patriarch. He received 508 out of 700 votes. He officially began his role on February 1, 2009. This event is called his "enthronement."
Working with Other Churches
Some people within the Russian Orthodox Church have criticized Kirill for working with other Christian groups, a practice called ecumenism. In 2008, a bishop named Diomid criticized him for connecting with the Catholic Church. However, Kirill stated in 2009 that there would be no changes to their core beliefs to unite with the Catholic Church.
On February 12, 2016, Kirill met with Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, in Cuba. This was the first time a Pope and a Russian Orthodox Patriarch had met. They signed a joint statement about important global issues, including their hope for unity and the challenges faced by Christians in the Middle East.
Changes in Church Organization
Patriarch Kirill made important changes to how the Church is organized. He created new departments to handle specific tasks. For example, a new department was made to manage relations with government bodies and other groups in society. He also changed how some churches and monasteries outside of Russia were managed, putting them directly under his authority. Another change was creating a new information department and transforming a postgraduate school.
In 2011, the Church also reorganized its structure in Central Asia. Later that year, Kirill started a reform where larger dioceses (church regions) were divided into smaller ones, often forming a "metropolis" which brings together several neighboring church areas.
International Relations as Patriarch
Kirill congratulated Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on winning the 2010 election.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Kirill openly supported the invasion. He claimed the conflict was caused by "gay parades" and that Ukraine was "exterminating" Russians in certain areas. These claims were not supported by facts. Kirill's statements led many clergy in other Orthodox churches to criticize him and even seek more independence from the Moscow church.
Relationship with Vladimir Putin
Kirill has been a long-time supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
.jpg)
.jpg)
When Kirill was elected Patriarch in 2009, President Dmitry Medvedev and then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attended his enthronement ceremony. The next day, Kirill spoke about an idea called "symphonia," which is an old concept from the Byzantine Empire about how the Church and state should work together in harmony.
In 2012, Kirill praised Putin's leadership, saying that Russia had overcome a difficult crisis "through a miracle of God, with the active participation of the country's leadership." He also criticized anti-government protests.
Under Kirill's leadership, the Church has worked very closely with the Russian government. He has supported Russia's actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. While he has called for peace, he has also referred to Russia's opponents in Ukraine as "evil forces."
Personal Life and Interests
Wealth and Public Image
Reports from Forbes and Novaya Gazeta have estimated Kirill's wealth to be very large, possibly billions of dollars. However, these figures have not been officially confirmed. A 2020 investigation found that Kirill and his relatives owned several properties in Russia worth millions of dollars.
In 2009, a photo of Kirill showed him wearing an expensive watch. Church officials later edited the watch out of the photo, but its reflection was still visible on the table. Kirill initially claimed the watch was edited into the picture but later admitted he owned it.
Awards and Recognition
Church Awards
Kirill has received many awards from the Russian Orthodox Church and other Orthodox churches around the world. These include:
- Order of St. Prince Vladimir, 2nd class
- Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, 1st and 2nd class
- Order of the Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, 1st class
- Order of St. Innocent Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, 2nd class
- Order of St. Alexis the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, 2nd class
- Awards from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Orthodox Church of Moldova, and the Orthodox Church in America.
- Awards from other Christian groups like the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in India and the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Awards from the Russian Government
He has also received several high honors from the Russian Federation, including:
- Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd and 3rd class, for his contributions to spiritual traditions and strengthening friendship.
- Order of Alexander Nevsky for his work in preserving spiritual and cultural traditions.
- Order of Friendship for his services to the state.
- Order of Friendship of Peoples.
- Various jubilee medals and diplomas.
International Awards
Kirill has also received awards from other countries:
- Order of Honour (Azerbaijan, 2010)
- Order of the Republic (Moldova, 2011)
- Medal "65th anniversary of Victory in Great Patriotic War" (Transnistria, 2010)
- Order of the Republic of Serbia (2021)
Honorary Citizenships
He has been made an honorary citizen of several regions and cities in Russia, including Smolensk Oblast, Kaliningrad Oblast, and the city of Smolensk.
See also
In Spanish: Cirilo de Moscú para niños
- List of Metropolitans and Patriarchs of Moscow
- Vsevolod Chaplin
