Metropolitan of Kaluga and Borovsk Clement (in the world Kapalin German Mikhailovich) was born on August 7, 1949 in the village of Udelnaya, Ramensky district, Moscow region, into a working-class family. After graduating from high school, he entered the Moscow Mechanical Engineering College.

In 1970 he entered the 2nd grade of the Moscow Theological Seminary. From October 1970 to November 1972 he served in the Soviet army. Then he continued his studies at the seminary.

After graduating from the seminary in 1974, he entered the Moscow Theological Academy.

Since 1977, he took part in the work of the World Orthodox Youth Organization "Syndesmos" and the Ecumenical Youth Council of Europe (ESME).

In 1978 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a candidate's degree in theology and was left with it as an assistant inspector and teacher in the correspondence education sector.

On December 7, 1978, the inspector of the Moscow Theological Academy, Archimandrite Alexander, tonsured him into monasticism with the name Clement in honor of the Hieromartyr Clement, Bishop of Rome.

On December 24, 1978, Archbishop Vladimir Kliment of Dmitrov was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon.

On April 7, 1979 he was ordained to the rank of hieromonk. Also in 1979, Clement was appointed teacher of General church history at the Moscow Theological Seminary (MDS).

On October 14, 1981, he was elevated to the rank of abbot. In the period from 1981 to 1982, Abbot Kliment acted as senior assistant inspector of the MDS.

On August 8, 1982, in the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the city of Minsk, he was consecrated Bishop of Serpukhov, Vicar of the Moscow Diocese and appointed administrator patriarchal parishes in Canada and temporarily in the USA.

The ordination was performed by: Metropolitan of Minsk and Belarus Philaret, Archbishop of Kharkov and Bogodukhov Nikodim, Bishop of Tula and Belevsky German, Bishop of Pinsk Athanasius.

On March 23, 1987, Bishop Clement was relieved of the administration of the patriarchal parishes in Canada and was appointed administrator of the patriarchal parishes in the United States.

On May 19, 1989, by decree of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen, Bishop Clement was elevated to the rank of archbishop.

Since July 20, 1990 - Archbishop of Kaluga and Borovsk and at the same time - First Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations.

In 1993-1996 - member of the Public Chamber under the President of the Russian Federation.

From 1997 to 2000, Archbishop Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk represented the Russian Orthodox Church in the inter-Orthodox commission for preparing the pan-Orthodox celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ; headed the secretariat for preparing and holding the celebration.

On December 26, 2003, he was appointed Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate and a permanent member of the Holy Synod.

Since October 2005, Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk has been a member of the Public Chamber Russian Federation.

Since January 2006 - Chairman of the Commission for the Preservation of Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk was awarded state awards: in 1988 - the Order of Friendship of Peoples, in 2000 - the Order of Honor, in 1997 - the medal of the 850th anniversary of Moscow; many church awards of the Russian Orthodox Church and orders of Local Orthodox Churches.

In 2001 and 2003 he was awarded the national prize of the Russian Biographical Institute in the category “Person of the Year”.

In 2006, Metropolitan Clement was declared grateful to the Government of the Russian Federation for his contribution to the preparation and holding of the ceremony of transfer from the Kingdom of Denmark and burial in the Peter and Paul Cathedral of the city of St. Petersburg of the ashes of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, wife of Emperor Alexander III.

Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk became widely known in the secular world in 1993, when he became a member of the Public Chamber under Yeltsin. The black hood with a cross among the wild, emerging democracy was perceived ambiguously. Some shouted about the separation of church and state, others believed that the priests betrayed the faith by getting involved in politics.

The second time he came to the lips of the Russian public was in 2008, after the death of Patriarch of All Rus' Alexy II. Disputes about who would occupy the “holy place,” Cyril or Clement, continued until the Council of Bishops. The third candidate withdrew his candidacy. The two holinesses were viewed in the media as a confrontation of different concepts, a struggle of ambitions. Holy Father Clement lost (508/169 votes).

Childhood

Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk, whose biography was unusual for that time, bore the name Herman in the world. German Kapalin was born on August 7, 1949 in the Ramensky district of the Moscow region into a large working-class family. The Soviet Union was recovering after World War II, building developed socialism, considering religion the opium of the people. At that time, even the Octobrists were considered builders of communism. The boy was not a member of any children's organization: he had neither an October star, nor a pioneer tie, nor a Komsomol card. This created certain difficulties, but he never talked about it.

Orthodoxy came with mother's milk; this is not a fancy phrase, but a fact. In one interview, Metropolitan Kliment of Borovsk said that he learned to pray in school years, when my mother suffered two heart attacks in three years. When the doctors gave up, the four sons of the dying woman read akathists and asked God for healing. He is sure that the prayers of the mother, her sons and the monks of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra did not allow the children to be orphaned.

The boy's father went through the entire Great Patriotic War with the icon in his breast pocket. The mother of a six-year-old boy put it in his head - do not renounce God under any circumstances. During the days of admission to pioneers, children did not go to school. The confidence that he could learn missed lessons on his own, and that it was impossible to skip prayer, made his life different from that of ordinary Soviet children.

Youth

The Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where the Kapalins went with their whole family quite often, determined their fate - all four brothers became priests. Herman’s mother later became a schema-nun. Pages of his biography can be read in the book he wrote, “Growing in Faith.” Throughout his life he will carry firmness and unshakable faith in God, considering the Soviet period of life for a people deprived of truth as a path into ignorance.

There are several moments that the Metropolitan is reluctant to remember. One is a mechanical engineering college, which he graduated from right after school. Realizing the mistake, at the age of 21 the future priest entered the Moscow Seminary, straight into the second grade. But a month later he was drafted into the army. Which troops he served in and what he did is also not advertised. In any case, six years of worldly “obligation” are not his best memories of his youth. Otherwise, Metropolitan Clement did not hide his biography, did not rewrite it, did not paint on it.

First steps in the clergy

After serving in the army, Kapalin returned to the seminary. Since 1974 he studied at the Moscow Theological Academy. He actively participated in the activities of the youth organization "Syndesmos", ESME. He completed his academic education with the status of a candidate of theology. His career in the field of Christianity began here as a teacher.

Elder Seraphim of Sarov said that the main objective for a Christian believer - the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. People go to God in different ways, the common one for all is prayer and repentance, pious deeds and mercy. For those who can climb higher on this ladder, in the worldly sense it will be more difficult (physically), but this will bring them closer to God. Herman chose this path: on December 7, 1978, he took monastic vows at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and was named Clement. The mercy and steadfastness of the Roman bishop become an example for his own life.

Two weeks after tonsure, the monk is ordained as a hierodeacon. Four months later he becomes a hieromonk. Less than six months have passed since the first stage was completed.

Priesthood

The first concern of a monk-priest is teaching general church history at the seminary. He has been teaching seminarians for two and a half years. Here is a review of Clement the teacher deacon Artyom Martynov:

Vladyka is a wonderful person. A strict ascetic, a caring father for seminarians, a man of prayer. Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, serious theologian.

In the fall of 1981, he was elevated to the rank of abbot. Taking into account the priest’s remarkable communication and literary abilities, he is sent to work on the ESME executive committee.

In July 1982, Clement was elevated to the highest monastic rank of the second degree, he became an archimandrite. He dressed in a black monastic robe with red tablets and a miter. His Reverence, as it is proper to address an archimandrite, is appointed to manage parishes in Canada and the USA. Before this, he underwent initiation, allowing him to perform rituals and sacraments and read public sermons.

Five years later, another rector is sent to Canada, the archimandrite rules Orthodox parishes in America, engaged in scientific work. For seven years the priest held a Soviet diplomatic passport. In the spring of 1989, Patriarch Pimen elevated Clement to the rank of archbishop. Passed the second degree.

Episcopate

The clergyman returned to his homeland in July 1990, when perestroika was in full swing in the USSR. Having become Archbishop of Kaluga and Borovsk, he was the first deputy head of the department of external relations. But, having taken up a public position, he rarely appeared to the public, preferring direct contacts with specific people on each issue being resolved.

Perestroika allowed the population not to hide their religious beliefs. But it was a difficult period, because for decades religion in the country was banned, property was expropriated, and the level of holiness was critically low. This is where the minister’s excellent organizational skills were demonstrated.

For four years under Yeltsin he worked in the Public Chamber. At the end of 2003, the priest was appointed administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate.

An even more important appointment is a full participant in the Holy Synod. Between the Councils of Bishops, in the worldly sense, it is a council of ministers, resolving pressing issues of life. In the last winter days of 2004, the archbishop became Metropolitan Clement.

Positions and regalia

Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga continues to establish connections with the secular world:

• 2005 - representative of the Public Chamber under V. Putin;
• 2009 - Head of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church;
• 2011 - participant of the Supreme Church Council.

Since 2013, his diocese has become a metropolitanate, which he successfully leads, combining with the position of rector of the Kaluga Theological Seminary. During his ministry, Holy Father Clement was encouraged and awarded many times. It is unlikely that you can see all the awards on the vestments; monks should not be proud of their merits. But they are all indicated in the biography. Twenty church awards, including the orders of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Herman of Alaska (USA), Alexy of Moscow II, and the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood (Jerusalem).

He has secular awards, a sign of gratitude for uniting the efforts of the state and the church in preserving traditions and reviving spirituality. Here are the Orders of Honor, Friendship of Peoples, “For Services to the Fatherland”, IV degree. Medals, national awards, certificates - all this is the result of the actions of the holy father. In his piggy bank there are especially expensive awards - reviews of Christian believers about the ministry of Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsky. There are also reviews from non-believers, these are especially expensive awards: “Public Recognition”, “Advocate of Justice”, “Person of the Year”.

Publications

Doctor historical sciences Metropolitan Clement became Metropolitan in 2014, defending his dissertation on Russian Christian Alaska. Before and after that, he wrote about 200 books, articles, and materials. Among them there is a book that contains the most significant quotes from all his works - “The Word and Faith”. Edifications, advice, help in education - the wisdom of the holy father in one book.

Achievements

During the reign of Metropolitan Clement, the number of churches in the diocese increased several times, two religious educational institutions, seven monasteries, centers and missions were added. They had their own newspapers, magazines, and website.

In his activities, the Metropolitan always paid special attention to youth, young families, and their morality. With his help, the basics appeared in schools Orthodox culture, chaplains in the army. He actively promotes the idea of ​​banning abortions and has legalized “church amendments” in Russian codes.

Yes, when Kirill was elected Patriarch of All Rus', Clement was removed from the immediate patriarchal circle, but it was never possible to push him in; Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk was too significant a figure. This is proven by the reviews of all the people who are familiar with him or have been in his service at least once.

Previously, from December 26, 2003 to March 31, 2009, he was the Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate and a permanent member of the Holy Synod.

Since October 2005, member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

Upon appointment to the post, the Administrator was considered by church analysts as one of the most likely successors to Patriarch Alexy II.

Biography

Born on August 7, 1949 in the village. Udelnaya in the Ramensky district of the Moscow region in a working-class family; younger brother (b. 1952) - Archbishop of Tobolsk and Tyumen Dimitry (Kapalin).

After graduating from high school, he entered the Moscow Mechanical Engineering College.

In 1970 he entered the 2nd grade of the Moscow Theological Seminary.

From October 1970 to November 1972 - military service in the Soviet Army; after which he continued his studies at the seminary.

In 1974 he graduated from the seminary and entered the Moscow Theological Academy, from which he graduated with a candidate of theology degree; left with her as an assistant inspector and a teacher in the correspondence education sector.

Since 1977, he took part in the work of the World Orthodox Youth Organization "Syndesmos" and the Ecumenical Youth Council of Europe (ESME).

On December 7, 1978, he was tonsured a monk by the MDA inspector Archimandrite Alexander (Timofeev) with the name Clement in honor of the Hieromartyr Clement, Bishop of Rome.

On August 8, 1982, in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk, he was consecrated Bishop of Serpukhov, Vicar of the Moscow Diocese and appointed administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in Canada and temporarily in the USA.

On March 23, 1987, he was released from the management of the patriarchal parishes in Canada and appointed manager of the patriarchal parishes in the USA.

Since July 20, 1990 - Archbishop of Kaluga and Borovsk and First Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Since 1996, he has been the rector of the Kaluga Theological Seminary and teaches Orthodox asceticism there.

Since 2003 - Manager of the Moscow Patriarchate.

On January 25, 2009, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow elected one of three candidates for the Moscow Patriarchal throne.

On January 27, 2009, at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow, he received 169 votes out of 677, thus losing to Metropolitan Kirill in the fight for the Moscow patriarchal throne.

On March 31, 2009, by decision of the Holy Synod, he was relieved of his post as manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and appointed chairman of the Publishing Council of the Moscow Patriarchate.

On January 21, 2010, by decision of the Dissertation Council of the Russian Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation, the academic degree of Candidate of Historical Sciences was awarded based on the results of defending a dissertation on the topic “Activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska in 1741-1867." (specialty “Domestic History”).

On January 29, 2010, he was elected chairman of the commission of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church on the organization of church social activities and charity.

Main publications

• Orthodox Alaska // Russian Who is Who. - No. 5(56). 2006.
• In the land of holy memories. Publishing house of Kaluga Theological Seminary. 2004.
• Growing in faith. (Autobiographical notes and theological articles)(2009)
• Saint Innocent and the dawn of the Orthodox mission in Alaska. // Theological and historical collection. No. 2. 2004.
• Missionary service of the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska.//Theological and historical collection. No. 1. 2003.
• Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska before 1917. - M.: OLMA Media Group, 2009. - 608 S., (Monograph)
• Mission of the Church today. 2003
• The Origins of Orthodoxy in Alaska. “200 years of Russian-American relations” (2007).
• Saint Innocent (Veniaminov) and the emergence of the book culture of the Aleuts // Bibliotekovedenie. No. 5. 2009.
• Orthodox family in the making Russian state. Collection of reports. Obninsk 2004.
• Special features of the missionary activity of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, during the period of his service in Kamchatka and Alaska // Church Bulletin. - No. 23(324). - 2005.
• Worldview and lifestyle of modern youth. Collection of reports. Obninsk 2004.

Numerous publications in the central and local press - both church and secular.

Awards

State awards:

• Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree (November 19, 2009) - for his great contribution to the development of spiritual culture and strengthening friendship between peoples
• Medal “In Memory of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow” (1997)
• Medal “For Strengthening the Penitentiary System” (2002)
• Order of Honor (2000)
• Order of Friendship of Peoples (1988)

Awards of the Russian Orthodox Church:

• Order of the Martyr Tryphon, 2nd class (2001)
• Order St. Sergius Radonezh II degree (1986)
• Order of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, II degree (2004).
• Order St. Seraphim Sarovsky II degree (2007)
• Order of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow, II degree (2009) - in consideration of the diligent archpastoral labors and in connection with the 30th anniversary of the priestly consecration and the upcoming 60th anniversary of his birth
• Prize in memory of Metropolitan Macarius (Bulgakov) II Art. (2009)
• Order of St. Innocent of Moscow, II degree (1999)
• Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow, II degree (1996)

Orders of other Local Orthodox Churches:

• Order of the Holy Sepulchre, I degree of the Church of Jerusalem (1997)
• Order of St. Herman of Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America (1989)
• Order of the Apostle Mark Alexandria Church I degree (2000)
• Order of St. Clement of Ohrid, 1st class of the Bulgarian Church (1998)

Awards of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation:

• Medal "For Special Merit to the Kaluga Region", II class. (2007)
• Medal “60 years of Kaluga Region” (2004)
• Certificate of the President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (2007)
• Medal "For contribution to perpetuating the memory of the defenders of the Kaluga land", 1 tbsp. (2007)
• Honorary citizen of the Kaluga region (2009) - for special services to the Kaluga region in the field of state and cultural activities
• Medal "65 years of the Kaluga Region" (2009)

Other awards:

• In 2001 and 2003 he was awarded the national prize of the Russian Biographical Institute in the category “Person of the Year”.
• Medal "For Contribution to the Heritage of the Peoples of Russia" (2002)
• Silver Star "Public Recognition" (2006)
• Order of Unity in honor of the 60th anniversary of the formation of the UN (2009)
• Order "For Benefit to the Fatherland", 1st class. (2008)

Date of Birth: August 7, 1949 A country: Russia Biography:

Born on August 7, 1949 in the village of Udelnaya, Ramensky district, Moscow region. in a working-class family. After graduating from high school, he entered the Moscow Mechanical Engineering College.

In 1970 he entered the 2nd grade of the Moscow Theological Seminary. From October 1970 to November 1972 he served in the ranks of the Soviet Army. Then he continued his studies at the seminary.

In 1974 he graduated from the seminary and entered the.

Since 1977, he took part in the work of the World Orthodox Youth Organization “Syndesmos” and the Ecumenical Youth Council of Europe (ESME).

In 1978 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a candidate's degree in theology, and remained with it as an assistant inspector and teacher in the correspondence education sector.

On December 7, 1978, the inspector of the MDA, Archimandrite Alexander, tonsured him into monasticism with the name Clement in honor of the smch. Clement, Bishop of Rome.

On April 7, 1979 he was ordained hieromonk. In the same year he was appointed teacher of General Church History at the MDS.

In 1981-1982 Acted as senior assistant inspector of MDS. In 1981 he was elected a member of the ESME executive committee.

On August 8, 1982, in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk, he was consecrated Bishop of Serpukhov, vicar of the Moscow diocese, and appointed manager and temporary. The ordination was performed by: Bishop German of Tula and Belevsky, Bishop Afanasy of Pinsk.

On March 23, 1987, he was released from the management of the Patriarchal parishes in Canada and appointed manager of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA.

Since July 20, 1990 - Archbishop of Kaluga and Borovsk and at the same time first deputy chairman.

In 1993-1996. - Member of the Public Chamber under the President of the Russian Federation.

In 1997-2000 represented the Russian Orthodox Church in the inter-Orthodox commission for the preparation of the pan-Orthodox celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ; headed the secretariat for preparation and implementation.

On December 26, 2003, he was appointed manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and a permanent member of the Holy Synod.

Since October 2005 - member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

Since January 2006 - Chairman of the Commission for the Preservation of Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

Chairman of the organizing committee of the International Educational Christmas Readings.

Headed the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the Church-public forum “Spiritual and moral foundations of the demographic development of Russia” (October 2004), I festival Orthodox media“Faith and Word” (November 2004), celebration of the 625th anniversary of the Battle of Kulikovo (May-November 2005).

By the definition of the Holy Synod of March 31, 2009 () he was relieved of his duties as manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and appointed chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church.

From October 2013 to May 2014 he temporarily managed.

On September 16, 2014, at the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation, a dissertation on the topic “The Russian Orthodox Church and the development of the Pacific North in the 18th-19th centuries. (based on materials from Alaska)" for the degree of Doctor of Historical Sciences.

Education:

1974 - Moscow Theological Seminary.

1978 - Moscow Theological Academy (PhD in Theology).

Place of work: Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (Chairman) Place of work: Kaluga Metropolis (Head of the Metropolis) Diocese: Kaluga Diocese (Ruling Bishop) Scientific works, publications:

• Spiritual character and behavior of a pastor (PhD thesis).
• Archbishop of Kaluga and Borovsk Clement. In the land of holy memories. Publishing house of Kaluga Theological Seminary. 2004.
• Speech at the naming of Bishop of Serpukhov. // ZhMP. 1982. No. 10. P. 6; The Kireyevsky brothers - the path of Christian formation. // Ivan and Pyotr Kireyevsky in Russian culture. Publishing house Grif. Kaluga. 2001. pp. 5-10.
• Missionary service of the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska. // Theological and historical collection. Publishing house of Kaluga Theological Seminary. No. 1. 2003. P. 35-78.
• Saint Innocent and the dawn of the Orthodox mission in Alaska. // Theological and historical collection. Publishing house of Kaluga Theological Seminary. No. 2. 2004. P. 35-126.
• Orthodox family in the formation of the Russian state. // Seventh educational Mother of God and Nativity readings. Collection of reports. Obninsk 2004. pp. 5-9.
• Worldview and lifestyle of modern youth. // Sixth educational Mother of God and Nativity readings. Collection of reports. Obninsk 2004. pp. 9-19.
• The tasks of Orthodox media and the moral responsibility of a journalist. // Materials of the First International Festival of Orthodox Media November 16-18, 2004. Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. Moscow. 2005. pp. 37-49.
• The well-being of society lies in the firmness of faith, in spiritual and moral growth. // Spiritual and moral foundations of the demographic development of Russia (materials of the church and public forum) October 18-19, 2004 Moscow. 2005. pp. 11-18.
• . 2009. Monograph.
• Russian Orthodox Church and the development of the Pacific North in the 18th-19th centuries. (based on materials from Alaska) (doctoral dissertation).

Numerous publications in the central and local press - both church and secular.

Awards:

Church:

• 1986 - Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh II century;
• 1989 - Order of St. Herman of Alaska (Orthodox Church in America);
• 1996 - Order of St. blgv. book Daniel of Moscow II century;
• 1997 - Order of the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood, 1st class. (Jerusalem Orthodox Church);
• 1998 - Order of St. Clement of Ohrid I Art. (Bulgarian Orthodox Church);
• 1999 - Order of St. Innocent of Moscow II century;
• 2000 - Order of the Ap. Mark I Art. (Alexandrian Orthodox Church);
• 2000 - Order of Martyr. Tryphon II century;
• 2004 - Order of St. equalap. book Vladimir II class;
• 2007 - Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, II century;
• 2009 - St. Alexy of Moscow II degree;
• 2017 -

Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, head of the Publishing Council of the Moscow Patriarchate

Metropolitan of Kaluga and Borovsky, since March 2009 - head of the Publishing Council of the Moscow Patriarchate, previously - manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate (2003-2009). Permanent member of the Holy Synod, member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. Awarded high state and church awards. In January 2009, he was an official candidate for the post of head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan Kliment (in the world German Mikhailovich Kapalin) was born on August 7, 1949 in the village of Udelnaya, Ramensky district, Moscow region, into a working-class family.

After graduating from high school, Kapalin entered the Moscow Mechanical Engineering College, and later, in 1970, he entered the 2nd grade of the Moscow Theological Seminary (MDS), from which he graduated in 1974. While studying at the seminary (in 1970-1972), he was drafted into the Soviet army.

After graduating from the seminary, Kapalin entered the Moscow Theological Academy, from which he graduated in 1978 with a candidate's degree in theology, after which he remained with it as an assistant inspector and a teacher in the correspondence education sector. In this capacity, Kapalin began to travel abroad through the World Orthodox Youth Organization Syndesmos and the Ecumenical Youth Council of Europe (ESME).

On December 7, 1978, Kapalin became a monk and was given the name Clement in honor of the Hieromartyr Clement, Bishop of Rome, and on December 24 of the same year he was ordained a hierodeacon. Clement became a hieromonk in 1979. In the same year he was appointed teacher of General Church History at the IDS. After Kliment was elevated to the rank of abbot in October 1981, he served as acting senior assistant inspector of the MDS until 1982. He continued his activities in the field of international church contacts, and in 1981 he was elected a member of the ESME executive committee.

In July 1982, Clement was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. In the same year, he was elevated to the rank of Bishop of Serpukhov, vicar of the Moscow diocese (the sacrament of consecration, or ordination, was performed on August 8, 1982 in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk) and was appointed manager of the patriarchal parishes in Canada and temporarily in the USA. At the same time he became the owner of a Soviet diplomatic passport. Clement was released from managing the patriarchal parishes in Canada in 1987, after which he was appointed manager of the patriarchal parishes in the USA.

In May 1989, by decree His Holiness Patriarch Pimena Clement was elevated to the rank of archbishop, and in 1990 appointed administrator of the Kaluga diocese - Archbishop of Kaluga and Borovsk. At the same time, he took the post of first deputy chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate (in this position he oversaw foreign institutions and pilgrimage trips).

Reports about Clement’s activities as the head of the diocese emphasized that under him the number of churches increased 6 times, 7 monasteries, a theological seminary and a theological school were opened. Also, 2 charitable missions were opened, the spiritual and educational center “Faith, Hope Love” in Obninsk and an evening theological school for the laity in Kaluga. The Diocese of Clement began to publish an Orthodox magazine, two newspapers, a theological and historical collection, and created a website. In 2003, edited by the archbishop, the album "The Land of Kaluga - Holy Land" was published, which was awarded the national prize of the Russian Biographical Institute in the category " Best books and publishing house of the year." It was also noted that Special attention Archbishop of Kaluga and Borovsky devoted his time to working with young people - issues of their spiritual and moral education, problems of a young family, and so on. Clement is known as a supporter of the ban on abortion, an advocate of introducing the subject “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture” into the secondary school course and the arrival of priests in Russian army. The press emphasized his role in introducing “church amendments” to the Tax and Land Codes of the Russian Federation, according to which the temple could acquire ownership of the land on which it stands. “For social service, real estate is needed,” the bishop was quoted as saying by Moscow News.

In December 2003, Clement was appointed administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate and a permanent member of the Holy Synod. In February 2004, Patriarch Alexy II elevated the hierarch to the rank of metropolitan. As of 2008, Kliment, in addition to managing affairs, also oversaw the press service, Department religious education and catechesis, as well as the educational committee of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Clement is also known as a public figure. In 1993-1996, he was a member of the Public Chamber under Russian President Boris Yeltsin. In October 2005, he became a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, where in 2006 he headed the commission for the preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage. The media wrote that many observers were surprised by the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church in the Public Chamber would be represented by Metropolitan Clement, since his figure was unfamiliar to the secular public. Particularly noted was the fact that Clement’s appointment occurred shortly after the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, Metropolitan Kirill (Gundyaev), who appeared in the media as a hierarch known for his “desire to consider the Russian Orthodox Church as an “equal partner” of the Putin administration,” spoke out against inclusion in the Public Chamber of clergy. Moreover, he publicly called on the leaders of other Russian faiths who were members of the Interreligious Council of Russia, which is under the patronage of the chamber, not to enter the Public Chamber. However, soon Russian President Vladimir Putin included several religious figures in the Public Chamber, and instructed Kliment to represent the Russian Orthodox Church.

In 2005-2006, people started talking about Clement as one of the potential successors to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Alexy II (the other and, according to observers, the most likely candidate was Metropolitan Kirill). The reason for mentioning Clement as a possible successor to the patriarch was the situation when he, instead of Cyril, accompanied Alexy on a number of his foreign trips.

In December 2008, after the sudden death of Alexy II, Clement and Kirill were again named the most likely candidates for the patriarchal throne. The opinion was expressed that the opposition between Cyril and Clement can be viewed as “just an ecclesiastical refraction of the classic confrontation between “charismatic” politicians and “apparatchik” politicians.” However, some observers believed that it should be seen not as a opposition between “concepts of the Church”, but as “a struggle between the personal ambitions of relatively young hierarchs” (Kirill at that time was 62 years old, Clement - 59 years old).

That same month, a scandal broke out involving younger brother Clement - Archbishop Demetrius of Tobolsk, whom, according to media reports, he predicted for the post of head of the educational committee of the Moscow Patriarchate. Demetrius was characterized in the press as “extremely domineering and tough, completely categorical,” which was fully demonstrated by the circumstances of the December 2008 elections of representatives of theological educational academies - delegates from the Local Council, where he was to be elected new chapter ROC - and the desire of Archbishop Demetrius to “promote” Clement to the patriarchal throne. It was reported that at a meeting of rectors of religious educational institutions, Archbishop Dimitri imposed his agenda, “took the microphone and did not give it to anyone.” In accordance with the archbishop’s request, the delegates to the cathedral were representatives of seminaries in the Far East, Siberia and Odessa - people, according to the famous church publicist Deacon Andrei Kuraev, “absolutely unknown to the church,” whose “main feature is obedience to the local bishop and deliberate agreement with the position of Archbishop Dimitri ". Having characterized Demetrius’s actions as a “raider seizure,” Kuraev concluded that it was carried out with the aim of preventing “people who could support the current locum tenens, Metropolitan Kirill,” from attending the council.

On January 25, 2009, at the Council of Bishops, Clement, along with Metropolitan Kirill and Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk and Slutsk, became an official candidate for the post of head of the Russian Orthodox Church. As noted, the list could be expanded as Local cathedral vested with the right to nominate additional candidates. However, Filaret recused himself and called on his supporters to vote for Metropolitan Kirill, while the Local Council did not propose any candidates. On January 27, 2009, Metropolitan Kirill was elected patriarch: 508 members of the council voted for him, 169 voted for Clement.

In March 2009, at the first meeting Holy Synod The Russian Orthodox Church, under the chairmanship of Patriarch Kirill, made decisions on personnel changes in the church leadership. Thus, Metropolitan Clement was demoted - from the post of manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, he was transferred to the post of head of the Publishing Council of the Moscow Patriarchate. This appointment was received ambiguously: while the patriarch’s opponents regarded it “as reprisal against an opponent,” supporters declared Kirill’s determination to “quickly begin managing the church with the help of a more professional team.”

The press wrote about Clement as a completely non-public figure, unfamiliar to the secular public, contrasting him with the “media active” Kirill [

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