Peter of Moscow (, Peter of Kiev, Peter of Rata, , ; c. 1260 – 20 December 1326) was an Eastern Orthodox bishop of Kiev, who moved his see from Vladimir to Moscow in 1325. Later he was proclaimed a patron saint of Moscow. In spite of the move, the office remained officially entitled "Metropolitan of Kiev and all Rus'" until the autocephalous election of Jonah in 1448.

Life

thumb|left|Yuri Lvovych of Galicia nominating Peter as metropolitan, depiction from late 15th century

Peter was born in Volhynia

He built a cell at the Rata River and began to pursue asceticism in silence. Afterwards, at the place of his ascetic exploits, a monastery was formed, called the Novodvorsk. The Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Of St Peter” was so called because it was painted by Peter while he was igumen of the Ratsk monastery near Volhynia. During a visit to the Ratne monastery by Maximus, Metropolitan of Kiev and all Rus', Peter gave him the icon as a gift.

In 1308 king Yuri I of Galicia nominated and the Patriarch of Constantinople appointed Peter to the vacant see of Kiev and all Rus'. The move strengthened the political position of Moscow and established it as the spiritual capital of fragmented Rus. After Peter's move to Moscow, the Cathedral of the Dormition and several other stone churches were built by Ivan Kalita in the Moscow Kremlin. The foundation of the Vysokopetrovsky Monastery in Moscow is ascribed to Peter. He also authored a few sermons and epistles.

Peter died on 21 December 1326.

References

  • Petro of Kyiv, Metropolitan in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine
  • Translation of the relics of St Peter the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia Orthodox icon and synaxarion
  • Synaxis of Peter, Alexis and Jonah, Metropolitans and Wonderworkers of All Russia