Metropolitan Bishop
When the great throne of Kiev was left without a prince after the death of Igor, a new figure also needed to be appointed as abbot. Iziaslav Mstislavich chose Clement for this position. However, his decision provoked intense disputes among the bishops. Some agreed, wishing to please the prince, and thus confirmed his appointment, that was otherwise illegitimate.
After Iziaslav’s death, the throne passed to George Vladimirovich, who did not recognize Clement’s authority. At that time, Saint Constantine came from Constantinople and removed Clement from his position. After George’s death, disagreements concerning the metropolitan arose once more. Certain people of the imperial court supported Constantine, while others continued to support Clement. Since it proved impossible to favor one over the other, it was decided that both should be removed, while a request for a new metropolitan was also sent to the patriarch. He selected Theodore.
Wishing to prevent further conflict, Constantine left Kiev. During his stay in Chernihiv, he fell gravely ill. Before his death, he wrote a letter asking that his body would not be buried, but cast out to the wild animals, acknowledging his sins and his responsibility for the revolution that broke out. After his death, his body was thrown outside the city and left unburied for three days, which was a sight that filled people with fear.
On the third day, Prince Sviatoslav Olgovich, overwhelmed by dread, ordered that the saint’s holy relics be given an honorable burial. His body was brought to the Church of the Savior.
During that same period, numerous natural disasters struck Kiev, which were regarded as signs of God’s wrath. After the holy burial of Saint Constantine, the peace was restored, and everyone glorified the Lord for His great mercy.
