He was the fourth metropolitan in Moscow to be appointed without the approval of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople as had been the norm.

In the late 1470s, he was in conflict with Ivan III over, among other things, the consecration procedures of the new churches.

During the Great standing on the Ugra river in 1480, Gerontius spoke for resisting the Golden Horde to the very end.

He adhered to a moderate position in dealing with heresies, which had already plagued Moscow and Novgorod.

In 1482, Gerontius left his post, though he would later return at the request of the Grand Prince.