Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, son of a Chernigov boyar Fyodor Byakont. He was born in Moscow at the end of the 13th century or the very beginning of the 14th century and was baptized with the name of Eleupherius. At the age of 20, he took the tonsure in the Moscow Epiphany Monastery. In 1352 he was ordained bishop of Vladimir and in 1354, after the death of metropolitan Theognostus, he was appointed metropolitan by Constantinople. He took an active part in the political life of Russia of the second half of the 14th century by supporting Muscovy grand princes in the fight with Lithuania and Tver and standing up for the unity of the Church. Alexei’s austere life gained him public esteem. He died on 12 February 1378, since the recovery of his relics in 1431 Alexius has been one of the most venerated Russian saints.
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