Metropolis of Kiev, Galicia and all Rus' (1441–1596)

The Metropolis of Kiev, Galicia and all Rus' (1441–1596) refers to a distinct Eastern Orthodox jurisdiction that emerged following the Council of Florence (1439) and the subsequent rejection of the Union of Brest (1596) by a portion of the Orthodox clergy and faithful within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It represented a continued effort to maintain an Orthodox hierarchy and identity separate from both the Uniate (Greek Catholic) Church that had accepted union with Rome, and the Moscow-based Metropolitanate which had become increasingly independent and later, an autocephalous Patriarchate.

Following the Council of Florence, which attempted to unite the Eastern and Western Churches, the then-Metropolitan Isidore of Kiev accepted the union. However, upon his return to Kiev, he was rejected by a significant portion of the clergy and faithful. This schism created a complex situation, with some recognizing the union and others opposing it.

The political context of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth heavily influenced this situation. The Orthodox population faced increasing pressure and discrimination, and the prospect of unification with Rome was seen by some as a way to secure rights and protection. Others, however, remained staunchly opposed to any compromise on Orthodox dogma and tradition.

The Union of Brest in 1596 formalized the creation of the Uniate (Greek Catholic) Church, where Orthodox practices were largely maintained, but allegiance was given to the Pope of Rome. While some Orthodox hierarchs joined the Union, a substantial portion, led by figures like Prince Constantine Ostrogski and lay brotherhoods, resisted. This resistance led to the re-establishment of a separate Orthodox hierarchy, known as the Metropolis of Kiev, Galicia and all Rus', which refused to recognize the Union and continued to maintain communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

This revived Metropolis faced considerable challenges, including legal persecution and lack of recognition from the Polish-Lithuanian authorities. It relied heavily on the support of Orthodox nobility and lay brotherhoods for its survival. Key figures in its history include metropolitans who worked to maintain Orthodox traditions and resist the pressure to join the Uniate Church.

The existence of the Metropolis of Kiev, Galicia and all Rus' (1441-1596) represents a crucial period in the history of Orthodoxy in Eastern Europe, demonstrating the complexities of religious and political allegiances in a period of significant upheaval and change. Its continuation of an Orthodox hierarchy played a crucial role in the preservation of Orthodox identity and traditions in the region. The end date of 1596 indicates the point where the issues related to the Union of Brest created another distinct historical trajectory.