Patriarch Joasaphus I

Joasaphus I ("Иоасаф I" ("Ioasaf I") in Russian) (? - November 28, 1640, Moscow) was the fourth Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1634-1640).

Joasaphus took monastic vows in Solovetsky Monastery. In 1621, he became a hegumen at Pskovo-Pechorsky Monastery. In January of 1627, Joasaphus was appointed archbishop of Pskov and Velikiye Luki. He is known for his protection of Pskov's trade privileges and resistance to pretensions of the German merchants, for which he would be punished by the patriarch. Upon Philaret's death in 1634, Joasaphus was appointed his successor.

One of Joasaphus' first deeds was severe punishment of Joseph Kurtsevich, Archbishop of Suzdal, for his indecent behaviour. He took part in reviving Moscow's printing activities. They published 23 ecclesiastic books under his supervision. In 1636, Joasaphus wrote "Память" (Pamyat, or memo), in which he urged Russian clergymen to settle all the discords between themselves. He also published a piece called "Лестница властям" (Lestnitsa vlastyam, or Hierarchy of power), in which he explained the hierarchy of clergymen during divine services and sobors. Also, Joasaphus published the so-called "Требник" (Trebnik, or book of prayers) with a supplement of Philaret's resolutions and decrees.

Joasaphus I is buried in the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Moscow Kremlin.