Philip II, Metropolitan of Moscow (d. 1569)

Saint Philip II of Moscow: A Beacon of Conscience Against Tyranny

Saint Philip II of Moscow (born Fyodor Ivanovich Kolychev on 11 February 1507, martyred 23 December 1569) stands as one of the most prominent and courageous figures in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. Serving as the Metropolitan of Moscow—the spiritual leader of the Russian Church—during the tumultuous reign of Tsar Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, Philip is revered for his unwavering moral integrity and his brave defiance against royal tyranny. His life is a testament to the power of faith and conscience in the face of absolute power.

Early Life and Monastic Calling

Born into the esteemed boyar family of the Kolychevs, one of the oldest and most influential noble houses in Muscovy, Fyodor Ivanovich Kolychev initially served in the court of Grand Prince Vasili III. This early exposure to court life and politics provided him with an intimate understanding of the state's inner workings. However, at the age of 30, he renounced his worldly career and aristocratic privileges, choosing instead a path of profound spiritual devotion. He joined the remote and austere Solovetsky Monastery, located on the Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea. Renowned for its strict asceticism and vibrant monastic community, Solovetsky became his spiritual home, where he eventually rose to become its esteemed abbot. Under his leadership, the monastery flourished, becoming a significant economic and spiritual center.

The Call to Metropolitanate Amidst the Oprichnina

In 1566, Tsar Ivan the Terrible, recognizing Philip's intellectual prowess, administrative skills, and moral authority, extended an invitation for him to assume the prestigious and powerful role of Metropolitan of Moscow. This was a critical period in Russian history, marked by Ivan's increasingly paranoid and brutal policies, most notably the Oprichnina. The Oprichnina was a state policy implemented by Ivan IV that involved the division of Russia into two territories: the Oprichnina (Ivan's personal domain) and the Zemshchina (the remaining public domain). It was enforced by a notorious secret police force known as the Oprichniki, whose brutal methods included mass executions, confiscation of land, and suppression of the boyar class. Philip, aware of the escalating terror, initially accepted the appointment on the crucial condition that the Oprichnina—which he saw as a source of immense suffering and injustice—be abolished. While Ivan verbally agreed, he soon reneged on this promise, intensifying the Oprichnina's reign of terror across Russia.

A Principled Stand Against Royal Authority

Despite the Tsar's broken promise, Metropolitan Philip bravely undertook his duties. However, he quickly became one of the few spiritual leaders—and indeed, one of the very few individuals in Russia—who dared openly to contradict the Tsar's increasingly cruel and arbitrary authority. He utilized his position as Metropolitan to become a vocal critic of the Oprichnina's atrocities. In his sermons, he denounced the violence, lawlessness, and bloodshed perpetrated by the Oprichniki, directly appealing to the Tsar for an end to the terror. A particularly famous instance occurred during a divine liturgy in the Dormition Cathedral, where Philip courageously refused to bless Ivan the Terrible, publicly stating, "How can I bless you, Tsar, if innocent blood is shed every day and every hour?" Such public defiance was an unprecedented act of moral courage, especially given Ivan's reputation for ruthless suppression of dissent.

Martyrdom and Enduring Legacy

Philip's outspoken opposition inevitably sealed his fate. Ivan the Terrible, enraged by the Metropolitan's unwavering criticisms, orchestrated a swift and brutal reprisal. Philip was arrested, subjected to a sham trial, unjustly defrocked, and subsequently exiled to the Otroch Monastery in Tver. His persecution culminated on 23 December 1569, when he was brutally strangled to death by Malyuta Skuratov, one of Ivan the Terrible's most notorious and trusted Oprichniki. This act of cold-blooded murder solidified Philip's status as a martyr, a testament to his ultimate sacrifice for truth and justice.

Today, Saint Philip II is profoundly venerated as a saint and martyr in the Eastern Orthodox Church. His canonization in 1652 formally recognized his sanctity and the heroic nature of his sacrifice. His incorrupt relics, a source of pilgrimage and veneration, were eventually transferred to the Dormition Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin, where they rest alongside other revered spiritual leaders of Russia. Saint Philip's life serves as an enduring symbol of resistance against tyranny, a reminder of the moral responsibility of spiritual leadership, and a powerful example of steadfast faith in the face of persecution.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Philip II of Moscow

Who was Saint Philip II of Moscow?
Saint Philip II, born Fyodor Ivanovich Kolychev, was a Russian Orthodox monk and spiritual leader who served as the Metropolitan of Moscow from 1566 to 1568 during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. He is venerated as a saint and martyr for his courageous opposition to the Tsar's tyrannical rule and the atrocities of the Oprichnina.
What was his connection to Ivan the Terrible?
Saint Philip II served as Metropolitan during Ivan the Terrible's reign. He famously confronted the Tsar over the brutality of the Oprichnina, becoming one of the few figures to openly challenge Ivan's authority. His outspoken criticism ultimately led to his arrest, deposition, and murder by Ivan's Oprichniki.
What was the Oprichnina, and why did Saint Philip oppose it?
The Oprichnina was a period of state terror implemented by Ivan the Terrible from 1565 to 1572, involving a separate territory and a ruthless secret police force (the Oprichniki). Its purpose was to suppress perceived enemies, particularly the boyar class, through mass executions and confiscation of property. Saint Philip vehemently opposed it due to its inherent injustice, lawlessness, and the immense human suffering it caused.
How did Saint Philip II die?
Saint Philip II was martyred on 23 December 1569. After being deposed and exiled by Ivan the Terrible, he was strangled to death by Malyuta Skuratov, a prominent Oprichnik, in the Otroch Monastery in Tver. His death is widely considered a direct order from the Tsar.
Why is he considered a saint and martyr?
He is venerated as a saint and martyr in the Eastern Orthodox Church for his unwavering moral stand against injustice and tyranny, and for ultimately sacrificing his life for his convictions. His canonization in 1652 recognized his heroic steadfastness in defending truth and the innocent.