Macarius Nevsky was a prominent Russian Orthodox hierarch who served as the Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna between 1912 and 1917. Born in 1835 in Šapkino, he dedicated much of his career to missionary work in the Altai region, where he earned the nicknames "Apostle of the Altai" and "Siberian pillar of Orthodoxy." A scholar and translator, he played a vital role in religious education and linguistic studies during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Russian Empire.
Life and work
After studying at the Tobolsk theological seminary, Macarius joined the Altai Mission. He took monastic vows in 1861 and spent years restoring the Chulyshmansky Monastery. As a linguist, he developed an Altai grammar and translated several liturgical books. His ecclesiastical career progressed through various leadership roles in Siberia, including serving as Bishop of Tomsk and Barnaul, before his eventual election to the metropolitanate in Moscow.
Veneration
Recognized as a saint, Macarius is remembered for his extensive missionary efforts and his contributions to the church. Following his death in 1926, his remains were moved to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in 1956. He is currently interred beneath the Dormition Cathedral in Sergiyev Posad.