Chronology of Ioann by Alexei Ivanov. Short summary

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A confrontation between Ivan the Terrible and Metropolitan Philip. The autocrat demands that the priest bless his atrocities. Philip becomes an intercessor for the victims of the bloody tsar.

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Moscow Russia. 1565. Rampant oprichnina. Arbitrariness of the tsar’s power. Ivan the Terrible summons to Moscow the abbot of the Solovetsky monastery and friend of his childhood. The tsar intends to appoint him metropolitan. The former head of the church left his post, unable to find the strength to put up with the lawlessness of the oprichniks.

John counts on Philip’s support and confirmation of his own righteousness in all his atrocities. At first he succeeds in convincing the hegumen that cruelty is necessary and for the good of the state. Philip accepts the ministry, but soon realizes — John builds his power on blood, he is possessed, and his cruelty has no limit.

The metropolitan harbors the slandered boyars. They are accused of military treachery. John does not forgive Philip for this. The priest is shackled, thrown into prison and tortured. But even in his death he is victorious in his dispute with the bloody King.