Hierarch 15th century

Pitirim and Jonah Bishops of Perm

15th century (Pitirim d. 1455; Jonah d. 1470)

Also known as Pitirim of Perm · Jonah of Perm

Successors of St. Stephen and St. Gerasimus in the see of Perm; Pitirim was slain by the pagan Voguls, and Jonah completed the conversion of the Permian peoples.

Feast Day

January 29

Also Aug 19

Draft

Draft — pending review. Not yet verified for publication.

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Missionary Work

Life

Pitirim and Jonah were the fourth and fifth bishops of Perm in northeastern Russia, successors of Saint Stephen and Saint Gerasimus in the work of bringing Christianity to the Permian (Komi) and neighboring peoples. They carried forward a frontier mission contested by the still-pagan Voguls and disturbed by raids.

Pitirim labored to make peace between the Zyrians and the Voguls and converted many of the latter before being killed by the Vogul prince Asyka in 1455. Jonah, his successor, is credited with completing the conversion of Great Perm in 1462. The two are commemorated together with Saint Gerasimus among the hierarchs of Perm on January 29, and Pitirim is also commemorated individually on August 19.

Timeline 5 moments Read Hide

Before his episcopate Pitirim at the Chudov Monastery Before becoming bishop, Pitirim was head of the Chudov Monastery and composed a Canon and Life of Saint Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow.
1445 Capture of Asyka The Vogul leader Asyka, who raided Christian settlements, was taken captive by Novgorod forces and swore to harass the Christians no longer, but resumed his hostility after being freed.
August 19, 1455 Martyrdom of Pitirim Asyka, blaming Pitirim for his defeat, murdered the bishop in the open as he was serving, at the confluence of rivers. Pitirim was buried in the cathedral church at Ust-Vym beside his predecessor.
1462 Jonah completes the conversion of Great Perm Saint Jonah, Pitirim's successor, converted the inhabitants of Great Perm, including the pagan tribes along the Vishera, Kama, and Chusova rivers, eradicating idols and building churches in their place.
June 6, 1470 Repose of Jonah Jonah reposed and was buried at the Annunciation cathedral at Ust-Vym.

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributions Read Hide

Saint Pitirim

Pitirim succeeded Saint Gerasimus in the see of Perm. Before his appointment he had been head of the Chudov Monastery in Moscow, where he became known for composing a Canon to Saint Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow, and writing his Life. As bishop he gave himself first to establishing peaceful relations between the Zyrians (Komi) and the Voguls, sending messages to protect his people from raids, and by his preaching he converted many of the Voguls who lived along the tributaries of the River Pechora.

The Vogul prince Asyka, who repeatedly attacked Christian settlements, was captured by Novgorod forces in 1445 and swore to trouble the Christians no longer, but once freed he watched for an opportunity to strike at Ust-Vym, holding Pitirim responsible for his defeat. On August 19, 1455 he killed the bishop in the open while Pitirim was serving. According to the account, the saint's body lay forty days without corruption before he was buried in the cathedral church at Ust-Vym beside his predecessor. The OCA gives the year as 1455, while some accounts place it in 1456.

Saint Jonah

Jonah, Bishop of Great Perm, succeeded Pitirim after his murder. In 1462 he is credited with converting the inhabitants of Great Perm to Christ, bringing in the remaining pagan tribes who lived along the Vishera, Kama, and Chusova rivers. By his efforts the idols of these peoples were destroyed and churches were built in their place, and he traveled throughout his extensive diocese to spread and consolidate the faith.

Jonah reposed on June 6, 1470, and was buried at the Annunciation cathedral at Ust-Vym. Together with Saint Gerasimus and Saint Pitirim he is honored among the hierarchs of Perm on January 29.

Works & Further Reading Read Hide

Notable Works

Canon and Life of Saint Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow — A liturgical canon and a biography of Saint Alexis composed by Pitirim while head of the Chudov Monastery, before his episcopate.

Notes

Aug 19 = commemoration of St Pitirim, Bishop of Perm, individually.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Jan 29