Sergius I, Patriarch of Moscow

Sergius I, Patriarch of Moscow Historical Figure Nationality: Russian citizen of the Soviet Union (born in the Russian Empire) Year of Birth: 1867 Year of Death: 1944 Cause of Death: Natural causes Religion: Eastern Orthodox Church Occupation: Clergy Political Office(s): Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Fictional Appearances: Worldwar POD: May 30, 1942 Appearance(s): Tilting the Balance Type of Appearance: Contemporary reference

Patriarch Sergius I (Russian: Патриарх Сергий, born Ivan Nikolayevich Stragorodsky, Иван Николаевич Страгородский; 23 January [O.S. 11 January] 1867 – 15 May 1944) was the 12th Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, from 8 September 1943 until his death. He was also the de facto head of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1925-1943, firstly as deputy Patriarchal locum tenens (1925–1937) subsequently as Patriarchal locum tenens (1937–1943).

During the 1920s and 1930s, Soviet leaders Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin ruthlessly persecuted the Church, imprisoning or executing large numbers of priests. Sergius was jailed for part of 1921 and again in 1926-1927. During World War II, Stalin finally started to scale back the anti-religious campaign, needing the moral support of the Church during the war. In the early hours of 5 September 1943, Stalin met with the three chief hierarchs of the Church and promised some concessions to religion in exchange for their loyalty and assistance. Among the most important concessions was permission to gather an episcopal council and elect a new Patriarch.

Sergius I in Worldwar

During World War II, General-Secretary Iosef Stalin began to relax his harshest restrictions on religion, seeing that the comfort it brought to the Soviet people made them fight better. However, he did not formally make peace with Patriarch Sergius until after the Lizards came.

Literary comment

Precisely when Stalin and the Patriarch made peace is not specified, but it was after the Point of Divergence. However, there is no reason to think that the unnamed Patriarch is someone other than Sergius.

References

Religious titles (OTL)
Preceded by A period of vacancy, preceded by Tikhon	Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia 1943-1944	Succeeded by Alexy I
Religious titles (Fictional Work)
Preceded by A period of vacancy, preceded by Tikhon	Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia (Worldwar) 1943-1944 (presumed)	Succeeded by Successors unnamed