Metropolitan Makarii and Muscovite Court Politics during the Reign of Ivan IV

Metropolitan Makarii headed the Russian Orthodox Church from 1542 to 1563 during the reign of Ivan IV. Most historians agree about his significance for the history of the Church and Muscovite culture. However, historians disagree on Makarii'a role in Court politics. Makarii's tenure as metropolitan is a good test case of the paradigm that the Church was subordinate to the State. Reexamining Makarii's activities in Court politics leads to the conclusion that Makarii was a player in Court politics but that first and foremost he served the Church.