Anastassy (Metkin) of Kazan and Tatarstan

His Eminence Archbishop Anastassy (Metkin) of Kazan and Tatarstan is the ruling bishop of the Diocese of Kazan and Tatarstan of the Church of Russia. He has guided the recovery of the diocese since the end of the Soviet period.
==Life==
The future archbishop of the Kazan diocese was born on August 27, 1944 in the village of Stolbovo, in what is now the Tver region. After completing his secular education in 1963, he worked for three years at a mechanical engineering factory. In 1967, he was tonsured a reader to serve in the churches of the Kazan diocese.
He was ordained deacon on May 6, 1968 by Archbishop Mikhail (Voskresensky) of Kazan and Mari, followed on February 7, 1972 by his ordination as priest. On September 5, 1976, he took monastic vows and was tonsured a monk by Archbishop Panteleimon (Mitriukovich) of Kazan and Mari, with the name Anastassy, after the martyr Anastassy of the Kiev Cave Monastery. He was also elevated to the rank of hegumen. Later in the year he was appointed rector of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Kazan as well as secretary of the diocesan administration.
Having been studying on a part-time schedule at the Moscow Theological Seminary, Fr. Anastassy was graduated in 1975. He continued his education at the Moscow Theological Academy, graduating in 1983 with the degree of Candidate of Theology. In 1985, he was elevated to archimandrite.
Upon the reposed of Archbishop Panteleimon in 1988, Pariarch Pimen and the Holy Synod of the Church of Russia, agreed on November 30, 1988 in the nomination of the Arch. Anastassy as the bishop of the Diocese of Kazan and Mari. On December 10, 1988 Arch. Anastassy was consecrated Bishop of Kazan and Mari at the patriarchal Cathedral of the Epiphany in Moscow. His Grace was elevated to the rank of Archbishop on February 25, 1996.
The leadership provided by His Eminence Archbishop Anastassy has been instrumental in the revival of Orthodox Christianity in the Kazan Diocese, including the restoration of churches, monasteries and theological education as provided by the [Kazan Theological Academy|[Kazan Theological Seminary]]. In 1997, His Eminence became rector of the restored Kazan Seminary.
 
==Source==
* Biography-Kazan Diocese site
Category: Bishops
Anastassy