Vice-chairman Department for External Church Relations, Moscow Patriarchate

Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov

Biography:

Born on 6^th June 1971 in the city of Vologda, Russia. In 1974 his family moved to Moscow.

He graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1993, the Moscow Theological Seminary in 1995, and the Moscow Theological Academy in 1999, where he was awarded the Candidate of Theology degree.

In March 2003 he was ordained to the diaconate and in September of the same year into priesthood. In April 2009 he was elevated to the rank of archpriest.

From 1999 to 2010 he worked at the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, was the head of the DECR Secretariat for Inter-Christian Relations.

During his work at the DECR, he was a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Churches, as well as the Joint Working Group on Problems Existing in Relations between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches.

From 5^th March 2010 to 30^th May 2011, he served as a cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York, USA, and as Representative of the World Russian People’s Council to the United Nations.

From 30^th May 2011 to 4^th October 2012, he served as a cleric of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine in Rome, Italy.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 4^th October 2012, he was appointed Rector of the Church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called in Naples, Italy.

In 2016–2022, he served as a cleric of the Moscow City Diocese.

From 2017 to 2022, he lectured at the Moscow Theological Academy.

By the decision of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 24^th March 2022, he was assigned to serve under the omophorion of the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.

On 26^th October 2022, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, appointed him Rector of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York and Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.

By the decision of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 24^th July 2025 (Minutes No. 79), he was relieved of his duties as Rector of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York and appointed Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

By the decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ of 25^th September 2025, he was appointed Rector of the Church of the “Joy to All the Afflicted” Icon of the Mother of God in Bolshaya Ordynka Street, Moscow.

Education:

· 1993 — Moscow State Institute of International Relations;

· 1995 — Moscow Theological Seminary;

· 1999 — Moscow Theological Academy (Candidate of Theology).

Awards:

Liturgical:

• 2009 — elevation to the rank of archpriest;

• 2011 — epigonation;

• 2025 — pectoral cross with decorations.

Ecclesiastical:

• 2015 — Jubilee Medal in Commemoration of the Millennium of the Demise of the Holy Prince Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles;

• 2021 — Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, 3^rd Class.

Secular:

• 2009 — Medal Marking 200 Years of Consular Service of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.