Job (Boretsky) of Kiev
Job (Boretsky) of Kiev, also Yov (Boretsky), was the first Orthodox Metropolitan of Kiev after the conclusion of the Union of Brest in 1595. He was metropolitan from 1620 to 1631.
Life
Little is known of his youth. The date of Boretsky's birth and baptismal name are unknown. His family was from Bircza, Galicia. He received his early education at the Lvov Dormition Brotherhood School before continuing his studies else where. At some point Boretsky became a monk and received the name Job. In 1604 and 1605, he was the rector and a teacher at the Lvov Dormition Brotherhood School. In 1615, he became the first rector of the Kiev Epiphany Brotherhood School and served until 1618. In 1620, he took part in the establishment of the Lutsk Brotherhood of the Elevation of the Cross School. In 1619, he was elevated to hegumen of the St. Michael's Gold Dome Monastery in Kiev.
In August 1620, Job was consecrated Metropolitan of Kiev by Patriarch Theophanes III of Jerusalem as he passed through Kiev on his return to Jerusalem from a visit to Moscow. Job's consecration, in addition to other bishops, restored the Orthodox hierarchy in the area that was occupied by bishops of the Unia after the Union of Brest in 1596 at which Metr. Michael (Ragoza), the previous metropolitan of Kiev, supported the union.
Metr. Boretsky was a prolific translator and writer. He composed poems honoring saints. He also wrote petitions and edicts, and coauthored Apolleia Apolofii (A Refutation of 'A Defense', 1628). A tract, Perestoroha (Пересторога; A Warning)[1], has also been attributed to him. In the defense of the Orthodox hierarchy, Metr. Boretsky composed a petition entitled Protestacia.
During the bitter dispute over the Unia, Metr. Boretsky had favored a general reconciliation, along with the Uniate Metr. Joseph Rutsky, but he could not get the support of the Cossacks for his approach.
| Job (Boretsky) of Kiev | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Michael (Rogoza) |
Metropolitan of Kiev and Gallich 1620-1631 |
Succeeded by: Isaiah (Kopynsky) |
