Hierarch
Hierarch, Bishop Simon, Bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal
2-я пол. XII века — †1226
Also known as: Симон Печерский
Hierarch Simon, Bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal — took monastic vows at the Kiev Caves Monastery; in 1206 he became hegumen of the Vladimir Nativity Monastery, and in 1214/1215 the first bishop of the Vladimir-Suzdal land; author of the core letters that form the basis of the famous Kiev Caves Paterikon (9 accounts of Caves wonderworkers and 5 about the construction of the monastery's main church). He died in 1226.
Hierarch Simon was born in the second half of the 12th century and took monastic vows at the Kiev Caves Monastery. In 1206 he became hegumen of the Vladimir Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery, and in 1214, at the wish of Prince George (Yuri) Vsevolodovich, he was appointed the first bishop of the newly established Vladimir-Suzdal see, which he governed until his death in 1226. Hierarch Simon is one of two authors (along with the monk Polycarp) of the letters that form the basis of the famous Kiev Caves Paterikon: nine accounts of the Caves wonderworkers and five about the miraculous construction of the monastery's main church belong to his pen. He died in 1226; his memory is kept on May 10/23, and also within the Synaxis of the Fathers of the Near Caves (September 28/October 11), where he is venerated among the hierarch-ascetics who came from the Caves monastery.