Our Father among the Saints Gurias, First Archbishop of Kazan
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Saint Gurias was the first Archbishop of Kazan, appointed to lead the diocese established for the region after its incorporation into the Muscovite state in the mid-sixteenth century. Born Grigory Grigoryevich Rugotin around the year 1500 in Radonezh, he is venerated in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Before his episcopate he was a monk and abbot in the tradition of the monastery of Saint Joseph of Volokolamsk. As archbishop he organized the new diocese, founded monasteries, churches, and schools, and worked to draw the inhabitants of the Kazan region to Orthodoxy until his death in 1563.
Timeline 7 moments
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c. 1500Birth in RadonezhBorn Grigory Grigoryevich Rugotin in Radonezh, by one account into a poor but aristocratic family.
Before monastic lifeService and imprisonmentBy tradition he served Prince Ivan Penkov but was unjustly accused of an affair with the prince's wife and imprisoned; he was later released.
1543–1552Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Joseph of VolokolamskHaving received monastic tonsure as Gurias at the monastery of Saint Joseph of Volokolamsk, he served as its abbot from 1543 until 1552, and afterward became abbot of the Selizharov Monastery in Tver.
1555First Archbishop of KazanChosen in July 1555 as the first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Kazan and Svyazhsk; his appointment as archbishop is dated 3 February 1555.
c. 1561IllnessHe fell seriously ill around 1561, an illness attributed to the lasting effects of his earlier imprisonment, and for his final two years was unable to stand or walk.
5 December 1563Repose in KazanHe died on 5 December 1563 in Kazan and was buried in the Holy Transfiguration Monastery there.
4 October 1595Uncovering of his relicsHis relics were uncovered on 4 October 1595, the event commemorated separately on October 4.
Contributions & Legacy
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Path to Monastic Life
Saint Gurias was born Grigory Grigoryevich Rugotin around 1500 in Radonezh; one account describes his family as poor but aristocratic. According to tradition he served Prince Ivan Penkov before being unjustly accused of an affair with the prince's wife and imprisoned. After his release he entered the monastery of Saint Joseph of Volokolamsk, where he received monastic tonsure with the name Gurias.
He rose to lead that community as abbot from 1543 until 1552, situating him squarely within the disciplined, organizing monastic tradition associated with Joseph of Volokolamsk. He afterward served as abbot of the Selizharov Monastery in Tver.
Archbishop of Kazan
In 1555 Gurias was made the first archbishop of the newly established Diocese of Kazan and Svyazhsk, created after the region's incorporation into the Muscovite state. He was chosen for the office in July 1555, with his appointment dated 3 February 1555.
During roughly eight years as archbishop he worked to establish Orthodox life in the region, drawing many of its inhabitants to Orthodoxy. He is credited with founding schools, four monasteries, the Annunciation Cathedral in Kazan, and numerous churches. Around 1561 he fell seriously ill—an illness attributed to the lingering effects of his earlier imprisonment—and for his last two years could neither stand nor walk. He died on 5 December 1563.
Relics & Shrines
Saint Gurias was buried in the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Kazan. His relics were uncovered on 4 October 1595, an event commemorated on October 4 in addition to his principal feast on December 5.
