St. Dionysius of Suzdal and his activities in the context of Moscow-Lithuanian relations: the Struggle for the Kiev throne

Abstract

The article examines the activities of St. Dionysius of Suzdal and the project of his appointment to the Metropolitan See of Kiev in the context of Muscovite-Lithuanian relations, and shows the significance of the Union of Kreva in 1385 for Muscovite-Lithuanian and Orthodox-Catholic relations. The author uses comparative-historical methods, historical criticism, and the method of historical reconstruction to recreate a comprehensive picture of the past based on the analysis of available sources and data. The article covers the period from 1380 to 1385. The events of Archimandrite Mikhail (Mityai)'s embassy to Constantinople, the return to Moscow and the exile of Metropolitan Pimen, Tokhtamysh's invasion of Moscow and the worsening relations between the Grand Prince and Metropolitan Cyprian, and the visits to Constantinople by St. Dionysius of Suzdal, which ended in his arrest and death in captivity, are described. The author shows how and to what extent church and state events were interconnected during this period. The promotion of St. Dionysius to the See of Kiev was in the interests of both Grand Prince Dmitry Ivanovich and the Lithuanian Prince Jogaila. The arrest and imprisonment of St. Dionysius were a result of the worsening relations between Moscow and Lithuania. After the Union of Kreva, Grand Prince Dmitry Ivanovich's attention shifted from church matters to political concerns, such as the expansion of Lithuanian influence in the East.