Metropolitan Bishop
Saint Cyril, Metropolitan of Kazan and Sviyazhsk, was born on the 26th of April 1863 in the city of Kronstadt. In 1887, he graduated from the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy.
On 21 November, he was ordained to the priesthood and appointed to the Church of the Resurrection. From 1900, he served as rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Kronstadt. In 1902, following the death of his wife and daughter, he embraced monasticism and was appointed to the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Urmia, Persia. On the 6th of August 1904, he was consecrated Bishop of Gdov. From 1908 to 1928, he administered the Diocese of Tambov and Shatsk, always striving to remain close to his flock.
In 1917, he warned of the necessity to preserve tradition. During the war, he organised the aid for the front, while he was simultaneously assisting those in need. On 19 March 1918, he was appointed to the Metropolitan See of Tiflis and Baku, although he was never able to travel there.
In 1919, he was arrested on charges of conducting counter-revolutionary propaganda. In 1920, he was appointed Metropolitan of Kazan and Sviyazhsk. However, he was arrested once again. In 1921, he was released and granted amnesty, only to be arrested and exiled again in 1922. In 1924, he returned from exile and met with Patriarch Tikhon, refusing to cooperate with the Renovationists.
In 1926, he was elected Patriarch but never ascended the patriarchal throne, as he was arrested in 1927 and exiled to the Turukhansk region. He was released in 1933, but in 1934 he was sentenced to a further three years of exile.
On 7 November 1937 (20 November according to the New Calendar), he was executed by the authorities.
Metropolitan Cyril is regarded as one of the most eminent hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church. He is venerated among the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Faith.
