Patriarch Pimen (Pimen I of Moscow)

Patriarch Pimen (Pimen I of Moscow)

Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'
Date of Birth: 23.07.1910

Content:
  1. Early Life and Monastic Life
  2. Military and Clerical Service
  3. Ascent through the Clerical Ranks
  4. Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
  5. Relations with the Soviet Government
  6. Canonization and Legacy

Early Life and Monastic Life

Born on July 23, 1910, in Bogordsk (now Noginsk), Sergei Mikhailovich Izvekov, who later became Patriarch Pimen, entered the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow. In 1931, he was ordained as a hierodeacon and later as a hieromonk.

Military and Clerical Service

During World War II, Pimen was conscripted into the army. After his service, he became a priest at the Annunciation Cathedral in Murom. He also served at the Ilyinsky Monastery in Odessa, as an abbot in Rostov, and at the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery.

Ascent through the Clerical Ranks

In 1950, Pimen was elevated to the rank of archimandrite and appointed as deputy at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. He focused on restoring and renovating churches. In 1957, he was ordained as a bishop and became an archbishop in 1960. From 1963 onward, he held the position of Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna.

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

In the 1971 Local Council, Pimen was elected as Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. He was among the first clergy to attempt dialogue with the Soviet government. Pimen supported Bishop Theodosius (Dikun), who wrote to Leonid Brezhnev about the church's lack of rights.

Relations with the Soviet Government

In 1988, Patriarch Pimen and members of the Holy Synod met with Mikhail Gorbachev, who discussed the development of a freedom of conscience law aimed at restoring the church's educational and spiritual rights. This led to a shift in relations and the celebration of the millennium of the Baptism of Rus.

Canonization and Legacy

In 1989, Patriarch Tikhon was canonized. Pimen also played a significant role in the canonization process of Orthodox martyrs and saints of the 20th century. Toward the end of his life, Pimen suffered from illness and passed away on May 3, 1990.

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