The Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Job, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (†1607), on April 5/18 (the translation of relics), June 19/July 2 (repose), and October 5/18 (the Synaxis of the Holy Hierarchs of Moscow).
John, the future Patriarch Job, was born in the 1530s in the town of Staritsa. His parents were devout and pious townspeople. From his early childhood, John attended church with his parents, knew the prayers, and was taught to read and write. Archimandrite Herman,1 the abbot of the Holy Dormition Monastery in Staritsa,2 to which John was assigned for his studies, said to the boy’s father,
“This youth has great boldness in prayer before the Lord. Do not hinder his desire to walk the monastic path.”
And indeed, the youth John read the Holy Scriptures every day, knowing many passages by heart. From his early years, he intended to dedicate his life to the Lord.
Around 1553, John completed his education at the Dormition Monastery, and his father said to him, “My son, you have reached the age of a mature man, and so you must start a family of your own.”
As it turned out, John’s father had already chosen a young lady for him. The youth was in turmoil; he wished to become a monk, but he did not know how to tell his father about it. On the day of the wedding, John asked his father, “Father, allow me to go to the holy monastery and speak with the elder.”
John’s father agreed, and the young man hastened to the monastery. He knew that he wanted to become a monk above all else. Therefore, on arriving at the monastery, he approached Archimandrite Herman with a fervent request to receive the monastic tonsure. Thus, John became Monk Job.
This marked the beginning of Job’s long and arduous journey in the service of the Lord. During more than fifteen years of his life at the Dormition Monastery in Staritsa, the young monk rose from a novice to the abbot of the monastery. Archimandrite German taught the young monk obedience, diligence, and, most importantly, deep prayer. The elder would instruct St. Job, “My son, above all, cultivate in yourself humility, mercy, and meekness; remember God every single moment.”
And Job became a worthy disciple of his teacher: he never raised his voice at anyone, forgave all who wronged him, and gave alms to help those in need. Looking at him, the other monastery brethren also strove to live a righteous life.
When it was being decided in 1571 who should be appointed superior of the Moscow Simonov Monastery, many said, “Monk Job is worthy of this high honor, for he is a model of higher spiritual life and righteousness.”
Thus this difficult obedience fell on the shoulders of Monk Job—he became the abbot of one of the chief Russian monasteries.
The Moscow Simonov Monastery
Having gained priceless experience in the position of abbot of the Simonov Monastery, Archimandrite Job was transferred in 1575 to head the Moscow Novospassky Monastery. Just as he had done before, he diligently pastored the monks and did much to foster the monastery’s prosperity during his six-year tenure there.
Hardworking, merciful to all, and God-fearing, in 1581 Archimandrite Job was honored to be consecrated as Bishop of Kolomna near Moscow. And once again his incessant labors began in the name of the Lord and his flock.
Five years later, in 1586, St. Job was elevated to the rank of archbishop and received a new appointment to the See of Rostov (now in the Yaroslavl region). As before, he devoted all his energies to caring for his flock and churches. He personally visited Orthodox churches, celebrated services in them, and delivered passionate sermons that deeply resonated with the parishioners. It was no coincidence that in 1587 the Council of Bishops elected him Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia.
St. Job then initiated a new project vital for the Russian Orthodox Church—the printing of liturgical literature, which was in short supply everywhere. Metropolitan Job stated, “Liturgical books are urgently needed so that the newly enlightened lands of the Volga region and Siberia may begin to be sanctified by Holy Baptism.”
Thanks to St. Job, the following liturgical books were printed and published in the Russian State for the first time: the Lenten Triodion in 1589, the Pentecostarion in 1591, the Octoechos in 1594, the General Menaion and the Hieratikon (Episcopal Service Book) in 1600, and the Liturgikon (Service Book) in 1602. This marked the beginning of the widespread printing of liturgical books in our country. The diligent labors of Metropolitan Job were spiritually transforming Orthodox Russia.
Consequently, it was a natural progression that Metropolitan Job became the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. This took place on January 26, 1589. Patriarch Jeremias II of Constantinople himself arrived in Moscow to bless Metropolitan Job and personally take part in the enthronement.
Not only Muscovites but also Orthodox Christians across Russia welcomed this news with joy, saying, “Vladyka Job is truly worthy of such an honor. He does so much for the people and for the Orthodox Church!”
In 1590, the Council of Eastern Hierarchs confirmed the canonical independence of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Patriarch Job canonized many Russian saints, including Blessed Basil and John of Moscow, the Right-Believing Prince Roman of Uglich, Joseph of Volotsk (Volokolamsk), Cornelius of Komel, Martyrius of Zelenets, Ignatius of Vologda, Anthony the Roman (of Novgorod), as well as the Holy Hierarchs Gurius of Kazan and Barsanuphius of Tver.
Patriarch Job was always unmercenary and ascetic. Receiving generous gifts from the Tsar and the boyars, he spent all the money on beautifying existing shrines and building new churches. In Moscow, he built twelve churches; and between 1592 and 1600, three monasteries were founded under his guidance: the Donskoy Monastery, the Conception Convent, and the Convent of St. John the Baptist.3 Patriarch Job established new dioceses: those of Pskov, Astrakhan, and Karelia.
The holy archpastor cared for the whole of Russia. He used to say, “Active missionary work is needed throughout Russia. We must build churches and monasteries beyond the Urals, in Siberia.”
Patriarch Job was a wise pastor of the Russian Orthodox Church and understood that it was necessary to dedicate immense effort for the benefit of his country and faith. Through his labors, he strengthened the northern and southern borders of Russia, nurtured spirituality among the people, and spread the light of faith and enlightenment throughout the Russian land.
Monument to St. Job at the Holy Dormition Monastery (Staritsa)
During the Time of Troubles, Patriarch Job went through a difficult period. In 1598, the Russian Tsar Fyodor I Ioannovich, Ivan IV the Terrible’s son, died without leaving a surviving heir, and the Rurikid Dynasty came to an end. Patriarch Job understood that False Dmitry I,4 who was seeking to conquer Russia, had to be stopped. The holy archpastor wrote denunciatory letters and sent them across the country. He declared firmly:
“An impostor and a deceiver must not rule the Russian State!”
Unfortunately, there were people who sided with False Dmitry. In January 1605, Patriarch Job anathematized the impostor and those who supported him.
Patriarch Job displayed genuine fearlessness when he appealed to the entire Russian society, calling on the people to drive the enemy out of Russia. He bravely confronted False Dmitry himself, exposing his attempt to unlawfully seize power in Moscow. During those difficult days for Russia, Patriarch Job prayed constantly at the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.
On April 13, 1605, Tsar Boris Godunov died suddenly. Moscow was completely surrendered to False Dmitry and the Poles. The Patriarch refused to swear allegiance to the impostor.
The day came when False Dmitry’s servants burst into the church during the Divine Liturgy. They seized the Patriarch, dragged him out of the church, beat him brutally, and then imprisoned him at the Dormition Monastery in Staritsa—the Patriarch’s birthplace, where his monastic service had originally begun. Weakened and blinded by the trauma and savage beatings, Patriarch Job nevertheless remained in unceasing prayer despite his hardships.
When False Dmitry was ignominiously driven out of Moscow, a delegation visited Patriarch Job, inviting him to return to Moscow and reclaim the Patriarchal throne. However, the primate’s health was completely broken. He instead gave his blessing for Metropolitan Hermogenes of Kazan, the future hieromartyr, to be elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, while he himself remained at the Staritsa monastery where he lived for two more years until his repose.
The Dormition Monastery in Staritsa
On June 19, 1607, Patriarch Job peacefully fell asleep in the Lord. He was buried next the Dormition Cathedral of the Staritsa monastery. Soon a chapel was built over his grave.
In 1652, the incorrupt relics of St. Job, the first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, were translated to the Russian capital. Many healings took place from his relics.
As early as the eighteenth century, an icon of St. Job of Moscow was placed on the wall of the cathedral of the Novospassky Monastery. St. Job is included in the Synaxis of the Saints of Moscow (celebrated on October 18), the Synaxis of the Saints of Tver (the first Sunday after the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul), and the Synaxis of the Rostov-Yaroslavl Saints (June 5).
In 1989, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church officially canonized Patriarch Job and established his Churchwide veneration.
