ABSTRACT
COMMENTARY 40 On the idea of a Russian Pope (ref. Chap. 6, p. 210, n. 2) There is a close parallel between Zvenigorodski's reference to a Russian 'Pope' and the instructions given to the Tsar's ambassadors to Lithuania, Saltykov and Tatishchev: 'If you are asked about the installation of a Patriarch you will say "J oachim, Patriarch of Antioch, who came from the Greek country to visit the great Sovereign, told Boris Fedorovich Godunov, the Sovereign's brother-in-law, that it had been laid down at the seven Councils in olden days that in Rome there should be a Pope of the Greek rite, and that in the Greek realm there should be four Patriarchs. The Popes of Rome abandoned the Greek faith after Pope Eugene had arbitrarily convened the eighth Council. Had there been any devout Christian kings in the Greek realm before now, the Patriarchs would have installed a Pope in the Greek realm. These four Patriarchs have now consulted the Oecumenical Council of the Greek lands with a view to setting up the Oecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in the Roman Pope's place, and elevating a fourth Patriarch in Muscovy." , (Solovyev, Vol. 11, col. 658.)
The idea of having the Metropolitan of Moscow elevated to the rank of Patriarch had long been dear to the hearts of the Tsars, for political as well as for religious reasons. It was made known to Joachim, the Patriarch of Antioch, when he visited Moscow in 1586. The following year a Greek named Nicholas brought news that the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Antioch would call a council which would also be attended by the Patriarchs of Jerusalem and Alexandria.
