Volodymyr Sabodan

Metropolitan Vladimir (Volodymyr; secular name Viktor Markianovich Sabodan, Russian: Виктор Маркианович Сабодан, Ukrainian: Віктор Маркіянович Сабодан, November 23, 1935 - 5 July, 2014) the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC-MP) 1992-2014. Metropolitan Volodymyr's official title is: His Beatitude Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine. As head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), he is the head of the only Ukrainian Church inside Ukraine to have canonical standing (legal recognition) in Eastern Orthodoxy worldwide.

Early life

Viktor Sabodan was born in a peasant family in Letychiv Raion of Vinnytsia Oblast (today - Khmelnytskyi Oblast).

In the late 1950s and early 1960s he studied at Odessa and later Leningrad Theological Seminary.

In 1965 he completed the post-graduate course at the Moscow Theological Academy and was appointed Rector of the Odessa Theological Seminary and elevated to the rank of Archimandrite. In 1966 he was appointed Deputy Head of the Russian Orthodox Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.

Episcopacy

In 1966 he was appointed Bishop of Zvenigorod. His episcopal consecration was conferred on July 9, 1966 by Pimen I of Moscow in the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. In 1969 he was nominated Bishop of Chernihiv and temporary administrator of Sumy Diocese. On September 9, 1973 he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop of Moscow Diocese and Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary. On July 16, 1982 he was appointed to Rostov-on-Don Diocese and elevated to the rank of Metropolitan. From 1984 he was Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe, and from 1987, a permanent member of the Holy Synod, Chancellor of Moscow Patriarchate. In 1992, he was elected by the Kharkiv Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as Metropolitan of Kiev, and Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Later than year he was enthroned as Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine, replacing Metropolitan Filaret who was excommunicated for participating in schismatic activities.

He is the author of numerous research papers on theology, the majority of which were included in the six-volume edition of his works published in 1997–1998.

Metropolitan Volodymyr enjoys singing and collects recordings of Ukrainian folk songs as well as stamps and postcards. He has no objections to a good meal.

In January 2008, Metropolitan Volodymyr performed the service of consecration of the altar and temple in Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

State awards

• Hero of Ukraine (The Order of the State) (2011)
• Member of the Order of Liberty
• The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise 1st (2008), 2nd (2005), 3rd (2002), 4th (2000) and 5th (1999) cl.