Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus'
Bishopric
orthodox
Monogram of Patriarch Kirill
Incumbent: Patriarch Kirill since 1 February 2009
Style	His Holiness
Cathedral	Church of the Twelve Apostles, Moscow Kremlin
First incumbent	St. Job
Formation	1589
Website	patriarchia.ru

The Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' (Russian: Святейший Патриарх Московский и всея Руси Svyateyshy Patriarkh Moskovsky i vseya Rusi), also known as the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, is the official title of the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is often preceded by the honorific "His Holiness". While the patriarch as the diocesan bishop of the Moscow diocese has direct canonical authority over Moscow only, he has a number of church-wide administrative powers within and in accordance with the charter of the Russian Orthodox Church. The patriarchate was established in Moscow in 1589: the first patriarch was St. Job. Abolished in 1721 by Peter the Great, the patriarchate was restored on October 28 (November 10), 1917, by decision of the All-Russian Local Council. Patriarch Kirill acceded to this position on 1 February 2009.

Different variations of the title "Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia", "Patriarch of Moscow and all the great and small, and White Russia" and others have been used. The modern form, "Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus'", was initially used in 1589 (when the see was elevated to patriarchate) through 1721 (when abolished by Peter the Great). The current version of the title was restored beginning in 1917 until suspended by Soviet authorities in 1925, and since being reinstated with the election of Metropolitan Sergius as patriarch in 1943.

Upon the death of Patriarch Adrian in 1700, Peter I did not permit election of a new patriarch; after 20 years he established a Theological College, soon renamed the Holy Synod, which, as a public body, acted as the general church administration from 1721 to January 1918 - the emperor (to March 2, 1917) as "extreme Judge this Board." In the subsequent period, the Synod of Church authorities and public administration in Russia and considered as institutions of public administration.

The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church was restored by decision of the All-Russian Local Council on October 28 (November 11), 1917. The first patriarch elected after restoration was Saint Tikhon, Metropolitan of Moscow.