Patriarch Hermogenes of Moscow

Patriarch Hermogenes of Moscow (secular name Yermolay, also spelled Hermogen; Russian: Патриарх Гермоген Московский) was the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia from 1606 until his death in 1612. He is venerated as a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church, with his feast day observed on February 17 (which is March 2 on the Gregorian calendar).

Early Life and Monastic Career

Born in the second half of the 16th century in the town of Morshansk in the Tsardom of Russia, little is known about Hermogenes' early life before he took monastic vows. After becoming a monk, he quickly rose through the ecclesiastical ranks, serving as an archimandrite in the Chudov Monastery within the Moscow Kremlin.

Patriarchate

Hermogenes was elected Patriarch of Moscow during a period of great turmoil in Russia, known as the Time of Troubles. His tenure was marked by his staunch opposition to the Polish intervention and the Catholic influence that came with it. He was a fervent supporter of the Russian tsar and played a significant role in rallying the Russian people against the Polish occupiers.

During the Siege of Moscow by the Polish-Lithuanian forces, Hermogenes was instrumental in organizing the defense of the city. He wrote letters and called upon the Russian people to unite and fight the invaders, emphasizing the defense of the Orthodox faith against Catholicism.

Captivity and Death

After the fall of Moscow to the Polish forces, Hermogenes refused to recognize the Polish prince Władysław as the ruler of Russia. As a result, he was imprisoned by the Polish authorities in 1611 and subjected to harsh conditions. Hermogenes died in captivity in 1612, and his death is considered a martyrdom by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Veneration

Patriarch Hermogenes was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, and his life and struggles are commemorated as a symbol of resistance against foreign invasion and the defense of the Orthodox faith. His relics are venerated in the Dormition Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin.

Legacy

Patriarch Hermogenes is remembered as a spiritual leader who stood firm in the face of foreign invasion and internal strife. His leadership during the Time of Troubles is seen as a pivotal moment in Russian history, embodying the resilience and unity of the Russian people and the Orthodox Church.