Mefodiy Kudriakov

Metropolitan Mefodiy (born Valeriy Andriyovich Kudriakov, Ukrainian: Валерій Андрійович Кудряков; 11 March 1949, – 24 February 2015, Kyiv, Ukraine) was the Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Kudriakov was born in Kopychyntsi, Husiatyn Raion, Ternopil Oblast, Ukrainian SSR. A graduate of the Moscow Theological Academy in Zagorsk.

In 1981 he become a priest and was among the clergy of the Lviv and Ternopil diocese of the Ukrainian Exarchate - Moscow Patriarchate.

In 1987 by the decree of his eparchial bishop, Metropolitan Nykodym (Rusnak), Valeriy Kudriakov was banned from undertaking any church activity and performing any priestly function in public.

In 1989 the eparchial bishop lifted the ban and Valeriy Kudriakov again was among the clergy of the Lviv and Ternopil diocese.

In 1990 he joined the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Because of the action, there followed a decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate, in which Valeriy Kudryakov was banned from undertaking any priestly duties and activities in that jurisdiction. He was later – excommunicated from the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In 1995 he became a bishop. His consecration was performed by Patriarch Volodomyr (Romaniuk) and bishop Izyaslav of Donetsk and Luhansk.

In 1995-1998 he was the bishop of Khmelnytsk and Kamenets-Podilsk, chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchy.

In 1998 he rejoined the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. This church was resurrected at the end of the Soviet period by Metropolitan Ioann (Bodnarchuk) and Bishop Vikentiy (Chekalin).

In 1998, he was the vicar bishop titled bishop of Kremenets.

On 10 November 1998 he became Archbishop of Ternopil and Podilsk and Locum Tenens of the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

On 16 October 2000 - at the Church Sobor of the UAOC, Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudriakov) was elected Primate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. He is the successor of Patriarch Dymytriy (Yarema).

As Father & Head of the UAOC worldwide, Mefodiy is Metropolitan of Kyiv & all Ukraine. Since his elevation, he has worked towards global visibility for the church, including a pastoral visits to the United States in 2006 and travels to Western Europe. He has fostered continued positive relations with the Ukrainian government and other religious communities.

In 2005, Metropolitan Mefodiy pursued a legal suit which successfully restored the patriarchal chancery offices and the Church of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki to the UAOC. Located adjacent to the famous St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, the premises had been in the use of a schismatic group.

Under the personal supervision of Metropolitan Mefodiy, the Ternopil Orthodox Theological Academy of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church was renovated and its course of studies completely updated to conform to contemporary academic standards. On October 18, 2008, the first diplomas of the newly-accredited theological school were awarded to qualified graduates in a ceremony in the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Ternopil.

Through the efforts of Metropolitan Meofidy, the Patriarchal Cathedral of the UAOC, the historic Church of St. Andrew the First-Called in Kyiv was returned by the Ukrainian government to the legal possession of the UAOC on May 21, 2008. Prior to the transfer of the title to the UAOC Patriarchate, the church had been part of the historic reserve park "Sofia-Kyiv" while being used for services of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church