On December 2, 1375 – The Bulgarian monk Cyprian was ordained Metropolitan of Kiev and Lithuania.
He was born in Veliko Tarnovo. “Weaned from Bulgaria, given to Russia” – his nephew, Grigory Tsamblak, said about him six centuries ago, at the Assumption Cathedral. He was born in 1330. He comes from the family of Grigory Tsamblak. His path began in the Kilifarevo Monastery of St. Theodosius of Tarnovo, then he went to Constantinople, and later – to the Holy Mountain. As a monk on Mount Athos, Cyprian was distinguished by his holy way of life, as evidenced by the message of St. Patriarch Euthymius to the monk Cyprian – “Euphimia”.
His good qualities were noticed by the Patriarch of Constantinople Philotheus, who attracted the monk and made him his confidant - – “close monk”. Patriarch Philotheus was one of the most energetic defenders of the ideas of Saint Gregory Palamas, pursuing a policy of uniting all Orthodox, ending internecine strife, achieving unity in the Russian and in the Orthodox Church in general.
The first appearance of Cyprian in Russia was in 1373, in his capacity as a patriarchal envoy. He investigated the relations of Metropolitan Alexy with the Western Russian churches. Patriarch Philotheus ordained Cyprian as Metropolitan of Kiev, Russia and Lithuania on December 2, 1375, and decided that after the death of Metropolitan Alexy, Cyprian would become Metropolitan of All Russia.
On May 23, 1381, on the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Metropolitan Cyprian was welcomed in Moscow with special solemnity. However, soon, in the autumn of 1382, he fell into disgrace and was removed to Kiev. More peaceful times came for him at the end of 1387, when it was unanimously decided in Constantinople that “the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia shall be and shall be called Kyr Cyprian, who shall hold this office until the end of his life”. This decision of Patriarch Nil was confirmed in February 1389 by his successor, Patriarch Anthony.
In the autumn of 1390, during the fourth week of Great Lent, Metropolitan Cyprian solemnly entered Moscow. After 14 years of efforts and hardships, he received more than he had ever desired - Metropolitan Cyprian managed to unite the divided parts of the Moscow Metropolis and until his death governed it as Metropolitan of All Russia.
Saint Cyprian was buried in the Assumption Cathedral in 1406.
On October 1, 2006, with a divine holy liturgy served at the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin, the 600th anniversary of the death of the Russian holy Metropolitan Cyprian the Bulgarian was celebrated.