Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudryakov)

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Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudryakov)
Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudryakov)
Born	11 March 1949

Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudryakov Valeriy Andriyovich, Ukrainian: Валерій Андрійович Кудряков) (b. 11 March 1949) in the city of Kopychentsy, Gusyatinskogo in the disctirct of the Ternopol region. He graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy in Zagorsk.

In 1981 he become a priest and was among the clergy of the Lviv and Ternopil diocese of the Ukrainian Exarchate - Moscow Patriarchate.

In 1987 by the decree of his eparchial bishop - Metropolitan Nikodim (Rusnak), Priest Valeriy Kudryakov was banned from undertaking any church activity and performing any priestly function in public.

In 1989 the eparchial bishop lifted the ban and Priest Valeriy Kudryakov again was among the clergy of the Lviv and Ternopil diocese.

In 1990 he joined the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Shortly after that, by the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Priest Valeriy Kudryakov was banned again from undertaking any priestly duties and activities. He was later – excommunicated from the clergy of this jurisdiction.

In 1995 he became a bishop. His consecration was performed by Patriarch Volodomyr (Romaniuk) and bishop Izyaslav of Donetsk and Lugansk.

In 1995-1998 he was the bishop of Khmelnitsk and Kamenets-Pdolsk, chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchy.

In 1998 he rejoined the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. This church was established by Metropolitan Ioann (Bodnarchuk) and Bishop Vikentiy (Chekalin).

In 1998, he was the vicar bishop titled bishop of Kremenetsk .

On 10 November 1998 he becameArchbishop of Ternopil and Podilsk and Locum Tenens of the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

On 16 October 2000 - on the Church Council of this jurisdiction, Metropolitan Mefodiy (Kudryakov) was elected Head of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. He was the successor of Patriarch Dymytriy (Yarema).