Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev)

Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) (1952-____)

Paul is used in English for the Russian name Pavel, and for the Greek name Pavlos.

Ponomarev may be spelt Ponomarov, Ponomaryov (in Russian, Пономарёв).

George may be spelt Georgiy, Georges.

Early life of Georgiy Vasilyevich Ponomarev

On 19 February, 1952, Georgiy Vasilyevich Ponomarev was born into a family of workers in Karaganda, Kazakhstan (at that time in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Georgiy Vasilyevich was raised in the Orthodox Christian Faith by his believing family, and he was (as much as possible) raised in the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Georgiy received his primary and secondary education in Karaganda.

Military service

After his graduation from secondary school, Georgiy Vasilyevich served the compulsory 2 years in the Soviet Army.

After demobilisation, he worked as a chauffeur and as a mechanic, and he studied at the vocational school in Kazakhstan.

Higher education

In 1973, Georgiy Vasilyevich Ponomarev entered the Moscow Theological Seminary of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sergeiev Posad (at that time called Zagorsk), from which he graduated in 1976.

He then continued his studies at the Moscow Theological Academy.

Upon graduation from the academy, he received the degree Candidate in Theology (Ph.D.).

In October, 1977, Georgiy V Ponomarev was received into the Monastery of the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius.

Moscow Theological Academy

Monastic tonsure, 1977

In December, 1977, the rector of the monastery, Archimandrite Jerome, tonsured Georgiy Vasilyevich Ponomarev to be a monk, and he gave him the name Pavel (Paul).

Diaconal ordination, 1978

In March, 1978, Monk Paul (Ponomarev) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Archbishop Vladimir (Sabodan).

Presbyteral ordination, 1978

In May, 1978, Hierodeacon Paul (Ponomarev) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop Vladimir (Sabodan).

Pastoral service ; further education

In 1980, Hieromonk Paul (Ponomarev) graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy, from which he received a Ph.D. in theology.

Meanwhile, from 1979-1981, Hieromonk Paul (Ponomarev) served as a "referent" of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

In 1981, Hieromonk Paul (Ponomarev) was classified as an "aspirant" in Theology of the Academy.

Service in Jerusalem, 1981

In September, 1981, Hieromonk Paul (Ponomarev) was assigned to be a member of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.

From July, 1982, he was assigned to serve as the Deputy Head of the Mission.

In 1983, the Patriarch of Jerusalem Diodoros I (Karivalis) elevated him to the dignity of igumen.

From July 1986 to July 1988, Igumen Paul (Ponomarev) served as the Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.

In August 1986, the Patriarch of Jerusalem Diodoros I elevated him to the dignity of archimandrite.

Return to Russia, 1988

In 1988, Archimandrite Paul was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as the Abbot of the Pskov Caves Monastery, near Pechory in the Pskov Province.

Pskov Caves Monastery

On 19 February, 1992, by a decision of the Holy Synod, Archimandrite Paul (Ponomarev) was chosen to become a bishop.

Episcopal ordination, 1992

On 21-22 March, 1992, Archimandrite Paul (Ponomarev) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate at the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow by Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) ; Metropolitan Juvenaly (Poyarkov) of Krutitsy and Kolomna ; Metropolitan Vladimir (Kotlyarov) of Pskov and Velikoluksk ; Archbishop Sergei (Fomin) of Solnechnogorsk ; Bishop Arseny (Epifanov) of Istra ; and Bishop Victor (Pyankov) of Podolsk.

Episcopal service

Bishop Paul (Ponomarev) was assigned to serve as the Bishop of Zaraisk, Vicar-Bishop of the Moscow Diocese.

Service in North America, 1992

This placement was followed by his immediate assignment to be the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and temporarily of the Parishes in Canada. He served in this capacity as the Bishop of Zaraisk.

Saint Nicholas Cathedral, New York City, New York

After the Feast of Pascha in 1992, Bishop Paul arrived in New York City in the USA, where he was principally resident. He wrote :

 Since very few people went to the cathedral in New York in the early 1990s, I devoted a lot of time to the Patriarchal parishes 
 (there were 31 of them at that time), which I often visited.

These visits also included visits to the more than 20 parishes in Canada, and to the community in Mexico.

His responsibility for the Canadian parishes ended in 1993 when Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy) was assigned to serve in Canada.

Saint Barbara's Cathedral, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

During this time, he also communicated with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). He repeatedly met with Bishop Mitrofan (Znosko-Borovsky), and with Bishop Hilarion (Kapral).

Transfer to Vienna, 1999

In 1999, Bishop Paul (Ponomarev) was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as the Bishop of Vienna and Austria. This assignment included the supervision of the Hungarian Deanery.

Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Vienna, Austria

In 2001, Bishop Paul (Ponomarev) was elevated to the dignity of archbishop. His title was adjusted to “Archbishop of Vienna and Budapest”.

Transfer to Russia, 2003

On 7 May, 2003, Archbishop Paul (Ponomarev) was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as the Archbishop of Ryazan and Kasimov in the Ryazan Province.

Holy Dormition Cathedral, Ryazan

By a decision of the Holy Synod from 5-6 October, 2011 (Journal no. 104), he was given the title “Archbishop of Ryazan and Mikhailov”, and named to be the head of the newly-created Archdiocese of Ryazan and Mikhailov in the Ryazan Province, Russia (Journal no. 132).

On 8 October, 2011, Archbishop Paul (Ponomarev) was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan.

Transfer to Belarus (Byelorus), 2013

Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk ; Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus

By a resolution of the Holy Synod on 25 December, 2013 (Journal no. 126), Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as the Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, and Patriarchal Exarch (patriarchal representative) of All Belarus.

Vladyka accepted this obedience willingly. Nevertheless, he noted that after his years of service in Ryazan, it had become truly his home, and that he made his departure with sadness.

Holy Spirit Cathedral, Minsk, Belarus

On Sunday, 5 January, 2014, now as the head of the Church of Belarus. Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarvev) served the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the first time in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk. Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was unable to attend because of illness, and Archbishop Gury (Alpaco) of Novogrudok (Navahrudak) and Lida read aloud a word from Metropolitan Philaret to Metropolitan Pavel.

However, the appointment of the head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church of a person without Belarusian citizenship and knowledge of the Belarusian language was criticised by some social activists of Belarus. Metropolitan Paul declared his readiness to learn the language of the spiritual flock entrusted to him.

On 22 September, 2014, at the enlarged meeting of the Council of the Institute of Theology of the Byelorussian State University in Minsk, Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) was elected to be the rector of the Institute of Theology.

By a decision of the Holy Synod of 23 October, 2014 (Journal no. 93), (in connection with the formation of the Diocese of Slutsk), Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) was released from responsibility for Slutsk, and he was given the title "Minsk and Zaslavsk". He remained the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.

By August, 2020, there had developed sharp divisions with Belarus in connexion with the presidential elections and the claim of victory of Mr. A Lukashenko. At this time, Metropolitan Paul appealed to the people to strive for peace, harmony and reconciliation in the country, rather than feeding division and hostilities.

Later in August, 2020, Metropolitan Paul requested the Patriarch and Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church that he be transferred to another diocese. In the context of the political turmoil of 2020, Belarus needed a bishop who was a Belarusian to lead the exarchate.

Metropolitan of Krasnodar and Kuban

On 26 August, 2020, Metropolitan Paul Ponomarev) was released from his service as Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavsk and Exarch of the Church of Belarus, and he was assigned to the Diocese of Krasnodar and Kuban of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna, 2021

On 15 April, 2021, as a consequence of the retirement of Metropolitan Yuvenaly (Poyarkov), Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as Metropolitan of the Diocese of Krutitsy and Kolomna, which includes the cities of Krutitsy and Kolomna in the Moscow Province (Oblast).

Holy Dormition Cathedral, Krutitsy

Patriarchal Governor of the Moscow Metropolitanate

At the same time, Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) was assigned to serve as Patriarchal Governor of the Moscow Metropolitanate, as successor to Metropolitan Yuvenaly (Poyarkov). He was also assigned in this capacity to serve as a permanent member of the Holy Synod.

On 17 June, 2021 (Journal No. 43), by the decision of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Paul was appointed chairman of the Church-Public Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for perpetuating the memory of the new martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church.

On 21 October, 2021, by the decree of Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev), Metropolitan Paul was appointed Rector of the Russian Orthodox University of Saint John the Theologian.

— Bishop of Zaraisk 1992-1999. Preceded by : Bishop Alexei (Kutepov). Succeeded by : Bishop Merkuriy (Ivanov).

— Vicar-Bishop of the Moscow Diocese 1992-1999.

— Administrator of the Parishes in the USA and Canada 1992-1999. Preceded by : Archbishop Makary (Svistun) (as Archbishop of Klin). Succeeded by : Archbishop Mark (Petrovtsiy) (as Bishop of Kashira).

— Bishop of Vienna and Austria 1999-2001. Preceded by : Bishop Ireney (Zuzeml').

— Archbishop of Vienna and Budapest 2001-2003. Succeeded by : Archbishop Hilarion (Alfeyev).

— Archbishop of Ryazan and Kasimov 2003-2011. Preceded by : Metropolitan Simon (Novikov). See name changed.

— Metropolitan of Ryazan and Mikhailov 2011-2013. See name changed. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Veniamin (Zaritsky).

— Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, 2013-2014. Preceded by : Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev). Title changed.

— Patriarchal Exarch of All Byelorus 2013-2020. Preceded by : Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev).

— Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavsk 2014-2020. Title created. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Benjamin (Tupeko).

— Metropolitan of Krasnodar and Kuban 2020-2021. Preceded by : Metropolitan Isidor (Kirichenko) Succeeded by : Metropolitan Grigoriy (Petrov).

— Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna, 2021-____. Preceded by : Metropolitan Yuvenaly (Poyarkov). Succeeded by : ____.

Reflections

Awards :

Church Awards :

• Medal of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, 1st degree (18 April, 1980)

• Order of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd degree (31 July, 1987)

• The right to conduct services with a crozier (27 August, 1989)

• Order of the Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, 2nd degree (November 1992)

• Order of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd degree (19 February, 2002)

• Order of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, 2nd degree (19 February, 2007)

• Order of Katharina Kantakuzina Branković, 1st degree (Serbian Orthodox Church, 2007)

• Order of Saint Nestor the Chronicler, 2nd degree (Ukrainian Orthodox Church) (October 12, 2007)

• Order of the Holy Cross, Apostle and Evangelist Mark (Orthodox Church of Alexandria) (12 October, 2007)

• Commemorative medal of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus (27 June, 2008)

• Order of Saint Innocent of Moscow, Enlightener of America, silver (2nd degree) (Orthodox Church in America)

• Order of Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, 2nd degree (2012)

• Orders of the Jerusalem, Antioch and American Orthodox Churches

• Second panagia (4 December, 2017 in accordance with the new Regulations on the awards of the Russian Orthodox Church)

Secular awards :

• Medal "For Sacrificial Service", public movement "Orthodox Russia" June 22, 2005

• Badge "For Contribution to the Development of the University" on February 14, 2007

• Honorary Silver Order "Public Recognition" (2007)

• Medal of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called (Brotherhood of All Saints. International Award Union) (29 May, 2007)

• Medal "For Faith and Goodness" (of the Kemerovo region) (3 August, 2007)

• Grand Cross of the Order of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark (Orthodox Church of Alexandria) (12 October, 2007)

• Jubilee Civil Order of the Silver Star "Public Recognition" (2007)

• Anniversary medal "70 years of the Ryazan region" (2007)

• Honourary Doctorate of Arts and Science (International Academic Accreditation and Attestation Committee) (24 March, 2008)

• The highest award of the movement “For the Saving of the People” (Russia) (2015)

• A memorial sign “In Honour of the Foundation of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus” (2017)

• Medal of Honoured Peacemaker (2017)

• Certificate of Credentials of the Council for Public Awards of the United Nations International Award Union "For the invaluable contribution of the formation of Orthodoxy in the life of society"