The Russian Orthodox churchman and theologian Peter Mogila (ca. 1596-1646) is known for his restoration of Orthodox institutions.

Peter Mogila was born in Moldavia, now part of Romania, the son of Symeon, head of an aristocratic family. Political turmoil forced Symeon to flee to Poland, where his family had numerous and influential ties with the nobility. Peter studied there and then in Holland and in Paris. He served as an officer in the Polish army but at the age of 30 decided to become a monk at the famous Pechersky Lavra Monastery. He received minor orders and made his vows in 1627. Ordained a priest sometime later, he became archimandrite and in 1632 metropolitan of Kiev.

Peter's first interests lay with the fortunes of the Orthodox Church, then under strong social and economic pressure from Catholic nobility and clergy. Political and social pressures were violent. His first achievement was to take...