Origins & Early Life

Saint Philip II of Moscow (Russian: Филипп II; born Fyodor Stepanovich Kolychov; Russian: Фёдор Степанович Колычёв; 11 February 1507 – 23 December 1569) was Metropolitan of Moscow and all Rus', the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, from 1566 to 1568. He was the thirteenth metropolitan of Moscow to be appointed without the approval of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople as had been the norm. He was one of a few metropolitans who dared to openly contradict Ivan the Terrible. It is widely believed that the tsar had him murdered on that account.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is venerated as a saint and martyr in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Fyodor Stepanovich Kolychov was born in Moscow into the old roots Moscow boyar family of Kolychevs, descendants of Andrei Aleksandrovich Kobyla, one of the noblest families of Muscovy. Grand Prince Vasili III took young Theodore into the royal court. It is said that since childhood Theodore was on friendly terms with Tsarevich Ivan, later Tsar Ivan IV of Russia ("the Terrible"). According to other accounts, he was involved in the conspiracy of Prince Andrey of Staritsa against Elena Glinskaya and, when their plans were discovered, he escaped to Solovetsky...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Abraham Joshua Heschel — Shared historical date (12-23 · Died) (1972): Leading 20th-century American rabbi, theologian, and philosopher.
• Akihito — Shared historical date (12-23 · Born) (1933): 125th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
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