Metropolitan Alexander (Kudryashov)

His Eminence Alexander (3rd of October 1939) – Metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia.

His Eminence, Most Eminent Alexander Metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia (Alexander Kudryashov) was born on 3 October 1939 in Latgalia, the land of blue lakes and green hills. This land abounds in cathedral and churches: Orthodox, Old Believer, Catholic and the people of Latgalia have been known for their religious zeal, respect for church customs and traditions.

Alexander owes love for holy sermons, genuine belief, church singing to his childhood. Alexander’s grandparents and parents were hard working and pious people praying a lot for human happiness and better lot.

Alexander spent his youth in Daugavpils and graduated from the faculty of philology of Daugavpils Pedagogical Institute. Later he worked as teacher in Russian and Latvian schools. Alexander got acquainted and communicated with the famous icon painters Yevgeny Ivanov, Maxim Belogrudov, scientist and researcher of antiquity Ivan Zavoloko.

The future Metropolitan has always cherished the dream of becoming priest and served some years in the Urals as clergyman.

After his return  to Latvia on the blessing of the Metropolitan Leonid, Alexander was ordained vicar bishop and served in the cathedrals and churches of Latvia.

Following the death of his Holiness, the Metropolitan Leonid in 1990 the vicar bishop Alexander took over the Diocese and officially became the 21^st reigning eparch of Latvia.

At those times many churches were restored of built: the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, the Cathedral of Saint Simeon and Anna in Jelgava etc.

In 1992 the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexey II and the Holy Synod made decision to grant independence and self-government to the Latvian Orthodox Church provided that canonical relations with the Patriarchy of Moscow were maintained.

In February 1994 the Alexander was ordained Archbishop. He contributed a lot to the rebirth of Riga Holy Seminary which has become the center of religious education and was its rector. In 1998 the ancient tradition of sacred procession from Riga to the Savior-Transfiguration Pustin by Jelgava was renewed. Alexander took special care about children, their spiritual development and religious education.

In February 2002 the Alexander was ordained Metropolitan and the Latvian Orthodox Church got the status of Metropoly.

On the blessing of the Metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia Alexander our native land was honored  by the visit of many Christian holy relics, including the Miraculous Tichvin icon of the holy Virgin Mary.

For his dedicated service Metropolitan Alexander proved his love for his land and people who trust and respect him.