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Isaiya KopinskiyOrthodox Metropolitan of Kyiv
Country:
 Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Monastic Career
- Episcopal Consecration and Disputes
- Election as Metropolitan of Kyiv and Removal
- Retirement, Conflict, and Appeals
- Appeals to Moscow and Legacy
Early Life and Monastic Career
Born and educated at Oстрожская школа, the future Metropolitan of Kyiv began his monastic journey at the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery. In 1616, he became the abbot of Mezhihirskyi Monastery and played a significant role in establishing Hustyn Monastery. In 1619, while still abbot at Mezhihirskyi, he founded the Mhar Monastery near the town of Lubny.
Episcopal Consecration and Disputes
On October 6, 1620, the Jerusalem Patriarch Theophan secretly consecrated him as Bishop of Przemyśl. However, the Polish government refused to recognize this appointment, and he never held the position. In 1628, he became the Archbishop of Smolensk and Chernihiv, but again his appointment was not recognized by the Polish government, and he resided in monasteries on the other side of the Dnieper River.
Election as Metropolitan of Kyiv and Removal
On July 20, 1631, he was elected Metropolitan of Kyiv, and he settled in Kyiv-Mykhailivskyi Monastery. However, in 1632, he was removed from his position and replaced by Petro Mohyla, who was appointed by the Polish King Władysław IV.
Retirement, Conflict, and Appeals
Stripped of his title, he retired to Polesia, retaining only the title of "Archbishop of Severia and Abbot of Mykhailivskyi Monastery." He unsuccessfully attempted to regain control of Mykhailivskyi Monastery, appealing to the king to overturn his removal but without success.
Appeals to Moscow and Legacy
In 1637, he met with Petro Mohyla in Lutsk to attempt a reconciliation but failed. Residing in Polesia, he continued to spread malicious rumors about Mohyla and appealed to the Moscow Patriarchate several times, requesting that Orthodox parishes in Little Russia be placed under the authority of the Moscow Patriarch.
He died on October 5, 1640, leaving behind a legacy of controversy and division. He composed "Spiritual Ladder" (a collection of moral teachings) and several epistles to clergy and individuals.
