Theodosius of Vyatka – the Confessor of Ivan the Terrible: Portrait against the Backdrop of the Era

Theodosius of Vyatka, confessor to Ivan the Terrible, was found to have no ties to influential groups within the Russian Church during his tenure. Unlike previous studies that only touched on isolated aspects of his life, this research reveals his rise from monk to abbot and his pivotal role in the Church Council of 1568, which led to the displacement of Metropolitan Philip Kolychev. Theodosius's close relationship with Ivan IV broke tradition by making a representative of the black clergy the tsar’s confessor, a role previously reserved for white clergy. This study uses chronicles, acts, and household books from Russian monasteries to reconstruct his biography, highlighting his influence on Ivan IV's decisions, including donations related to Vologda. His post-tsar consecration as bishop of Ryazan in 1585 underscores his enduring significance.

Usachev, A. S. (2021). Theodosius of Vyatka – the Confessor of Ivan the Terrible: Portrait against the Backdrop of the Era. Herald of an Archivist, (1), 11–23. https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-0101-2021-1-11-23