"Chosen by God"

Novgorod was one of medieval Russia’s key political, cultural, economic, and commercial centers. The archbishop of Novgorod was a key figure not only in the church, the preeminent institution in medieval Europe, but also in the political, judicial, social, and economic life of the city and of medieval Russia more broadly. This book provides a historical development not only of the office of archbishop, but through a discussion of that office, presents a fuller history of Novgorod and medieval Russia. By understanding how Novgorod and the church in Novgorod developed, it is possible to gain a fuller understanding of medieval Russia outside of Moscow, and gain a better appreciate how Novgorod declined while Moscow grew.

Author Biography

Michael C. Paul earned his Ph.D. with an award of academic merit in Russian History from the University of Miami, Florida. His publications include numerous scholarly articles and entries to a number of encyclopedias, including The Supplement to the Modern Encyclopedia of Russian and Soviet History (SMERSH) and The Encyclopedia of Russian History.Dr. Paul has taught at Towson University, The University of North Dakota, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and the University of Miami. He carried out archival research in St. Petersburg and Moscow in 2006 and 2007 as a Fulbright Senior Scholar. He currently works for the US government. David Goldfrank is former Professor of History and Director of Medieval Studies at Georgetown University. Primarily a specialist in pre-modern Russian history.