Blessed Konstantin, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, passed away to the Lord more than 850 years ago. His ministry came at a difficult time of ecclesiastical and princely disputes, when the Russian Church needed to restore peace and canonical order.
After Metropolitan Michael of Kiev left the pulpit in 1145 and retired to Constantinople, a period of unrest began in the church life of Russia. In 1147, Grand Duke Izyaslav Mstislavich and the Council of Russian Bishops appointed Kliment Smolyatich as Metropolitan of Kiev without the participation of the Patriarch of Constantinople. This decision was not accepted by all the bishops, and there was turmoil in the Russian Church.
In 1155, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky of Rostov-Suzdal entered Kiev and became Grand Duke. Having united a significant part of the Russian land under his rule, he also began to resolve church issues. On his initiative, negotiations were held with Constantinople, after which, in January 1156, Metropolitan Constantine was ordained to the Kiev see. In the same year, he arrived in Kiev.
Before leaving for Russia, Metropolitan Constantine participated in the Council of Constantinople, where the issue of the Eucharistic Sacrifice was discussed. Arriving in Kiev, he, together with Bishops Kosma of Polotsk and Manuel of Smolensk, began to restore the canonical norms of church life. The decisions related to the installation of Kliment Smolyatich were rejected, and Prince Izyaslav Mstislavich was severely condemned by the council.
In an effort to strengthen church order and prevent a repeat of previous disorders, Metropolitan Constantine replaced episcopal chairs with bishops loyal to church discipline. Bishop Leon was appointed to Suzdal, Anthony to Chernigov, Kosma to Galich, and Vasily to Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. Arkady was elected bishop of Veliky Novgorod.
Metropolitan Konstantin was respected by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. The Grand Duke listened to his opinion not only in church matters, but also in state affairs. It is known that the saint, together with the hegumens of Kiev, interceded with Yuri for Prince Ivan Berladnik, asking not to extradite him to Prince Yaroslav of Galicia.
After the death of Yuri Dolgoruky in 1158, the situation in Kiev changed again. Unrest began in the city, the prince's property was looted, and the Suzdal people began to be persecuted. Fearing revenge from political opponents, Metropolitan Konstantin retired to Chernigov, where Svyatoslav Olgovich, an ally of Yuri Dolgoruky, reigned. The bishop of Chernigov at that time was Anthony.
In Chernigov, Metropolitan Konstantin suddenly fell ill. Anticipating his imminent demise, he called Bishop Anthony to him and handed him a sealed letter, taking from him an oath promise to fulfill what he had written. When, after the death of the saint, the letter was opened to Prince Svyatoslav, all those present were amazed. In his will, the metropolitan asked not to give his body a regular burial, but to take it out of the city and leave it to be mocked.
This unusual testament became a testament to the saint's deepest humility. Bishop Anthony, with fear and tears, fulfilled his will, because he was bound by an oath. But the metropolitan's body remained unharmed for three days and three nights: neither beast nor bird touched it. At night, pillars of fire could be seen above it.
When this was reported to Grand Duke Rostislav in Kiev, the body of the saint was transferred with great honor to the Chernigov Transfiguration Cathedral and buried next to Prince Igor Yaroslavich. Legend says that in those days a terrible storm raged in Kiev and other places, thunder roared, lightning flashed. But the sun was shining in Chernigov all this time. After the burial of the saint, silence fell everywhere.
Numerous miraculous healings began to take place at the relics of Blessed Constantine. His memory has been preserved in church tradition as the memory of a saint who, in difficult times, sought to restore church order, remain faithful to canonical tradition, and set an example of deep humility before his death.