Alexander of Tver and efforts to establish an eparchy in Pskov

After rebellion against the Tatars which took place in Tver in 1327, the local knyaz' Alexander had to flee from his principality. His place of refuge was Pskov, located in the north-west of Rus'. But even there, Alexander was not safe because Tatar's khan and muscovite prince wanted to catch and punish him. The people of Pskov declared Alexander their ruler and did not intend to hand him over to his enemies. In this situation, metropolitan Thognost spoke against Pskov and Alexander and threatened them with excommunication. The decision of the hierarch aroused the church separatism of Pskov, and Alexander, together with his ally Gediminas, began an activity to establish a new bishopric in Pskov. This article, based on the source information, presents the circumstances in which emerged plan to create a new eparchy. Discussing this problem the author focused on the figure of prince Alexander and pointed to his role in the whole matter.