Hierarch Maximus, Metropolitan of Kiev

IMPORTANT CORRECTION: the stub erroneously described a generic template figure of a "Kiev Caves ascetic" — this in fact refers to the historical Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus', Maximus, appointed by Patriarch Gregory II of Constantinople in 1283. The category has been corrected from "righteous" to "hierarch."

Hierarch Maximus, a Greek by origin, was appointed Metropolitan of Kiev in 1283. In 1299, following the devastation of Kiev connected with the conflict between khans Tokta and Nogai, he transferred the metropolitan residence from Kiev to Vladimir-on-Klyazma — an event marking the end of Kiev's centuries-long status as the Church's capital in Rus'. He performed episcopal consecrations (notably transferring Bishop Simeon from Vladimir to Rostov in 1299) and mediated princely disputes, including the 1303 Pereyaslavl settlement and the 1304 enthronement of Mikhail of Tver.

IMPORTANT NOTE: historians disagree on the reasons for the relocation of the see — whether it followed the canonical principle of a see residing in a capital city, or was a direct consequence of Mongol devastation. The move also triggered the establishment of a rival Galician metropolitanate (1303-1308) under Prince Yuri Lvovich, dividing jurisdiction.

He died on December 6, 1305, in Vladimir. His feast is kept on December 6/19 (repose), and also June 23 in the Synaxis of Vladimir Saints.