Metropolitan Bishop
Metropolitan Theognost, the successor of Metropolitan Peter, was born in Constantinople and is known as an expert in church canons. He chose Moscow as his place of residence, supporting the Moscow princes, while Prince Ivan Kalita was strengthening the Moscow principality. Theognost endured many hardships, including the closure of churches in Pskov due to the wrath of Khan Uzbek. He was also a witness to the execution of Prince Alexander of Tver and his son Theodore in the Golden Horde, after which he served a panikhida and sent their bodies to Tver.
In 1342, Khan Janibek attempted to destroy the rights of the Orthodox clergy, but the metropolitan refused to collect tribute from the clergy, citing the words of the Apostle Paul. He was subjected to torture, but remained steadfast, and the khan confirmed the rights of the Orthodox Church. After returning to Moscow, the metropolitan faced a devastating fire, but began to restore the churches.
Foreseeing his end, he appointed the Bishop of Vladimir, Alexius, as his successor. In the last year of his life, a young hermit, Bartholomew, the future Blessed Sergius, came to him for a blessing to establish a church in the name of the Holy Trinity. The metropolitan blessed him. Theognost fell ill in 1352 and passed away on March 14, 1353, and was buried in the Assumption Cathedral.
In 1471, his relics were found incorrupt, and in 1474, a mute man received healing, recounting that he saw the saint rise from the grave and bless his tongue, after which his gift of speech returned. Theognost was canonized in the 19th century.
