Saint Job Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Monastic and Episcopal Career

Born John in the 1530s at Staritsa near Tver, he took monastic vows in 1551 at the Uspensky (Dormition) Monastery in his native town, receiving the name Job. He became abbot of that monastery in 1566 with the support of Tsar Ivan the Terrible.

His administrative gifts carried him to a succession of Moscow houses: abbot of the Simonov Monastery in 1571 and of the Novospassky Monastery in 1575. He was consecrated bishop of Kolomna in 1581, and in 1587 became archbishop of Rostov and metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia.

The First Patriarchate of Moscow

On 26 January 1589 (Old Style; 5 February New Style), Job was consecrated the first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia with the blessing of Patriarch Jeremias II of Constantinople, an act that established the autocephalous Russian Church's patriarchal dignity. He held the office during the reigns of Tsar Feodor I and Boris Godunov.

Among the works of his patriarchate were the founding of the Donskoy Monastery in 1591 and the canonization of Russian saints.

The Time of Troubles and Exile

As the pretender known as False Dmitri I advanced, Job sought to keep the people of Moscow loyal to the lawful tsar. When supporters of the impostor seized power in 1605, armed men burst into the Cathedral of the Dormition; Job was removed from his throne and sent into exile to his monastery at Staritsa.

He went completely blind during his exile and died at Staritsa on 19 June 1607. For his steadfast refusal to bless the pretender he is venerated as a confessor.

Relics & Shrines

In 1652 the relics of Patriarch Job were transferred from Staritsa to the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Moscow Kremlin.

Miracles & Traditions

Historically Documented: The Russian Orthodox Church glorified Job as a saint in 1989. He is commemorated on June 19 and April 5.

Traditional Accounts: He is remembered in the tradition as a confessor who, faithful to the lawful sovereign, refused to recognize the pretender and accepted deposition and exile rather than betray that loyalty.