Metropolitan Symeon of Smolensk

Saint Symeon (Symeón) the future Metropolitan of Smolensk, was born in the city of Tobolsk in Siberia, and was a descendent of theMolyukov family of merchants.

His love for the monastic life led him to the Monastery of Saints Boris and Gleb in the city of Rostov. After his tonsure, he remained there for some time; and then, distinguished by his talents, he was chosen as Archimandrite of Nizhni Novgorod's Monastery of the Caves in 1672. There, because of his piety and activities for the improvement of the Monastery, he was noticed by the Church hierarchy. In 1674 he was transferred to Moscow as Superior of Andronikov Monastery, where he soon won the special favor of Tsar Alexei and his family.

Saint Symeon was consecrated as Archbishop of Smolensk in Moscow's Dormition Cathedral on April 9, 1676.

From 1612 to 1642 the Smolensk region was under Polish rule. The Catholics and Uniates violently seized Orthodox churches for Catholic and Uniate use in 1639; and so throughout Smolensk and Drohobuzh no Orthodox services were held in the counties.

After the capture of Smolensk by Tsar Alexei, Catholic spirit and Polish morals did not yield their influence at once. A great effort was required to restore Orthodoxy, which had been trampled on by heresies and weapons. Saint Symeon spent twenty-three years toiling in his See.

In a special presentation to the Tsar, Archbishop Symeon reported that it was desirable to have a cathedral in Smolensk which would befit the greatness of Orthodoxy.

In 1676, a design for the construction of the cathedral was sent from Moscow, and the Tsar donated two thousand rubles, as well as the necessary materials.

The foundation of the Dormition Cathedral was laid on August 2, 1677, but the Saint would not complete this undertaking. The consecration of the temple only took place in 1772.

With the blessing of the archpastor, churches were built in other cities of the diocese. Thus, Trinity cathedral was built at Vyazma, and construction of the Dormition church was begun in the city of Krasny.

Metropolitan Symeon participated in Patriarch Nikon's burial in 1681, and received from the Tsar a precious mitre from the patriarchal sacristy.

At the end of the year, he took part in the work of the territorial Council and in the meetings of the local Council, at which it was decided to establish a metropolis in Smolensk and a vicariate in Vyazma and Bryansk.

After the death of Tsar Alexei, who was Saint Symeon's patron, he was deprived of his white klobuk as the result of intrigues, and was exiled to repentance in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, where he spent two years. Meanwhile, the schism in the Smolensk diocese intensified. Returning from imprisonment, the Archbishop continued his intensive work for the improvement of his diocese. He met repeatedly with Tsar Peter I in Smolensk, but history is silent about whether those meetings were beneficial or not.

In 1695, burdened with old age, the Hierarch began to ask for retirement. However, it was decided to wait until a worthy successor could be found. Saint Symeon, who was renowned for the holiness of his life, reposed on the night of January 4, 1699.

The Saint was buried in Smolensk's Trinity Cathedral. Later, his tomb became the resting place of his successors: Sylvester II (Chernitsky), Sylvester III (Kraisky), and Dorótheos (Korotkevich), until the revolution, pious citizens of Smolensk often visited his tomb. Many people revered Metropolitan Symeon as a Saint, and had panikhidas served for the repose of his soul. They also received healing from their sicknesses, according to their faith.¹

Thus, in 1840, by the Saint's prayers, the gravely ill landowner Bogdanovich, who had been treated in Russia for many years, was healed after the tomb (which had fallen into disrepair) was reopened. In 1880, after panikhidas were served for the deceased hierarchs, the son of the tradesman V. Prokhorov was healed.

The Saint's relics were moved to the city cemetery in the 1930s. On March 17, 1996, Metropolitan Symeon's relics were solemnly reburied in Smolensk's Dormition Cathedral. Saint Symeon was canonized as a local Saint of the Novosibirsk diocese; and in 1984 he was also glorified at the Synaxis of the Siberian Saints.

Saint Symeon is also commemorated on June 10 (Synaxis of the Siberian Saints), and on the Sunday before July 28 (Synaxis of the Smolensk Saints). The holy Hierarch Symeon should not be confused with Prince Symeon of Vyazma, who suffered martyrdom on December 21, 1406.

¹ Matthew 9:29.