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In the late 1420s, Jonah had transferred to the [[Simonov Monastery]], where he again fulfilled various obediences for many years. He was close to Metropolitan [[Photius of Kiev|Photius]], who would make him [[bishop]] of Ryazan and Murom. After Photius's death in 1431, Grand Prince Vasili II nominated Jonah for the post of metropolitan. Due to Vasili's war with the appanage princes, Jonah did not leave for [[Constantinople]] until the end of 1435. The newly-elected metropolitan journeyed to Constantinople in order to be confirmed as metropolitan by [[Joseph II of Constantinople|Patriarch Joseph II]]. Shortly before this the nefarious Isidore, a Bulgarian, had already been established as Metropolitan. Spending a short time at Kiev and Moscow, Isidore journeyed to the [[Council of Florence]] (1438), where he embraced [[Catholicism]].
After Isidore had been condemned by a [[synod|council]] of Russian [[hierarch]]s and [[clergy]] in 1441, for his support of Catholicism and the reuniting of the Eastern and Western Churches, they deposed him, and he was compelled to flee secretly to Rome, where he died in 1462.
St Jonah was unanimously chosen Metropolitan of All Russia. He was consecrated by Russian hierarchs in Moscow, with the blessing of Patriarch [[Gregory III of Constantinople|Gregory III]] (1445-1450) of Constantinople. Metropolitan Jonah received the patriarch's approval only after Constantinople's collapse in 1453. This was the first time that Russian bishops consecrated their own metropolitan. St Jonah became metropolitan on [[December 15]], 1448. This signified the establishment of the [[autocephaly]] of the Russian Orthdox Church. In 1451, Jonah took under his control the Lithuanian [[diocese]].
In 1451 the Tatars unexpectedly advanced on Moscow. Metr. Jonah led a procession along the walls of the city, petitioning God to save the city and the people. Seeing the dying [[monk]] Anthony of the Chudov monastery, who was noted for his virtuous life, St Jonah said, "My son and brother Anthony! Pray to the merciful God and the [[Theotokos|All-Pure Mother of God]] for the deliverance of the city and for all Orthodox Christians."
