Leo Tserpitsky

After his service in the Soviet Army in 1966–1969, Lev entered the Leningrad Spiritual Academy, graduating in 1975 and successfully defending a candidate's dissertation entitled "Decrees of the Second Vatican Council's 'Constitution on the Divine Liturgy'" («Постановление II Ватиканского Собора „Конституция о богослужении“»).

[2] Since becoming Bishop (since 1995 - Archbishop) of Novgorod and Staraya Russa, Leo has overseen the rebuilding of the church in the eparchy in the aftermath of the Soviet collapse.

He was elevated to the rank of metropolitan on January 8, 2012, in the Dormition Cathedral of Moscow Kremlin by Patriarch of Russia, Kirill I.

On March 30, 2006, President Vladimir Putin awarded him the Order For Merit to the Fatherland, 4th class (За заслуги перед Отечеством» IV степени).

[2] In 2004, he was a recipient of the Yaroslav the Wise Medal, 1st class (Медалью Ярослава Мудрого I степени) awarded by Novgorod State University.