Biskupi i władcy świeccy Rusi w orbicie politycznych wpływów Moskwy doby metropolity Cypriana

BISHOPS AND SECULAR RULERS OF RUTHENIA UNDER THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF MOSCOW DURING THE TIME OF METROPOLITAN CYPRIAN The subject of this dissertation is the broadly understood church policy in North- -Eastern Ruthenia at the turn of the 15th century. At that time, the political situation in this region was dominated by the rivalry between Moscow and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as well as other local political entities involved that wanted to retain their independence. Political disagreements that emerged in Ruthenia at the end of the 14th century were not limited to military conflicts. Since Metropolitan Alexius associated himself with Moscow, it became apparent that ecclesiastical influence began to play a very important role as well. Alexius used his power and ecclesiastical authority to tame the political ambitions of the rulers of Tver and Suzdal. Soon, he was using the same weapon in the conflict between Moscow and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.