In 1407, Photius was appointed Metropolitan of all Russia with the title of Metropolitan of Kiev and Vladimir. In 1408, he was transferred to Moscow and became Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia. In Moscow, however, Photius had to deal with a lot of adversities, such as drought, starvation, pestilence and fires, which had fallen upon Russia. Photius found his metropolitan residence ravaged and ecclesiastic treasury empty. Everything seemed to be in chaos and he didn't know a single word of Russian.