Митрополит Іларіон

Activity: Religion
Date of birth: 990
Date of death: 1088, Kyiv
Navigator: Rus’

The first Metropolitan of Kyiv of Rus’ origin, elected by local bishops at the will of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Author of Sermon on Law and Grace — the first dated work of Ukrainian literature.

Nearly a thousand years separate us from Hilarion, so it is natural that not as much is known about him as we might wish — yet even these fragments are enough to call him the first.
The main source of information about Metropolitan Hilarion is the Primary Chronicle. Under the year 1051, the chronicle records: “Yaroslav appointed Hilarion Metropolitan of Rus’, having gathered the bishops in Holy Sophia.” It seems that this unprecedented decision — to proceed without the consent of the Byzantine Patriarch — influenced the short duration of Hilarion’s tenure on the Kyiv see. He may have remained Metropolitan only until 1054, the year of Yaroslav’s death, since in 1055 the metropolitan was already the Greek Ephraim.
According to the chronicle, Hilarion — “a good man, learned and ascetic” — used to pray on a hill by the Dnipro River, where he later dug a cave. There, Anthony, the founder of the Monastery of the Caves, later carried out his ascetic подвиги. It is possible that after his metropolitan service, Hilarion returned there and worked on a chronicle compilation under the name Nikon.
Metropolitan Hilarion was a co-author of Yaroslav’s Church Statute, included in Russkaya Pravda. The friendship and fruitful cooperation between the prince and Hilarion testify to a “symphony” — a harmonious coexistence of state and Church in early Rus’, in contrast to Byzantine caesaropapism later adopted by the Russian Orthodox Church.
The period of Hilarion’s ministry was marked by complex Rus’-Byzantine relations, aggravated by the war of 1043. Perhaps even then Yaroslav sought to free himself from ecclesiastical and hierarchical dependence on Byzantium.
Continuing the work of his father, Vladimir the Great, Yaroslav the Wise emphasized the cultural and educational dimension of the Christianization of Rus’. The construction of churches, their artistic decoration, the musical accompaniment of liturgical life, and literary activity all developed under the protection of the Church headed by Metropolitan Hilarion. Christianity at that time shaped a new Old Ukrainian identity, influencing national self-awareness — as evidenced by the Sermon on Law and Grace.
Hilarion’s moral authority, solid theological education, rhetorical skill, and exceptional literary talent contributed to the formation of an intellectual tradition later continued by figures such as Cyril of Turov — bishop, preacher, and author of prayers — as well as Clement of Smolensk, who in 1147 became the second Metropolitan of Rus’ origin after Hilarion.

Brief Conclusions

Statesman and reformer — He was not only a spiritual leader but also a political figure who defended the interests of the land of Rus’.
Lawgiver — Although he did not create laws himself, his sermons and writings had a tremendous influence on the development of legal culture.
Builder and patron — He was not known for construction or patronage activities, yet he affirmed the power of Rus’ through his works.
Church policy — Author of theological works, including Sermon on Law and Grace, in which he praised the land of Rus’ and Christianity, as well as Confession of Faith. He became the spiritual guide of Yaroslav the Wise, supporting his policy and strengthening the prestige of the Church.
Legacy — Introduced the chronological principle into chronicle writing and significantly influenced the formation of Orthodox tradition and social consciousness.

Author: Olha Chaplia