Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow

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Saint Alexis (Алексей in Russian, (before 1296 – 1378) was a Metropolitan of Kiev and all Russia (since 1354), who presided over Muscovite government during Dmitri Donskoi's minority. Image:Taidula.jpg

Alexis, whose real name was Eleftherios, was a son of Feodor Byakont, a boyar from Chernigov who settled in Moscow and founded the great Plescheyev boyar family. He took monastic vows in Epiphany Monastery of Moscow around 1313. In 1333 or so, he moved to the residence of Metropolitan Theognostus. In 1340, Alexis was appointed Metropolitan's deputy in Vladimir and 12 years later would become the Bishop of Vladimir.

By the will of Simeon the Proud, Alexis was appointed adviser to his brothers - Ivan and Andrei. After visiting Constantinople, he was chosen to become the Metropolitan of Kiev and all Russia in 1354. When Dmitry Donskoy and Vladimir the Bold were young, Alexis was their spiritual tutor and a regent at the same time. He took the side of Dmitry Donskoy in his struggle against Tver (1366-1370).

In 1360s, Alexis founded the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, Andronikov, Chudov, and Alekseyevsky monasteries. He promoted Metropolitan Peter's canonization by the Russian Orthodox Church. Shortly before his death, Alexis fruitlessly tried to convince Sergii Radonezhsky to become his successor.

Alexius was also an author sermons and epistles. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1448.