Stoika, Yosyp

Stoika, Yosyp [Стойка, Йосип; Stojka, Josyp], b? in Chumaleve, Transcarpathia, d 1711. Orthodox bishop. He was a parish priest in Chumaleve and Bychkiv before he entered a monastery near Stryi. He was consecrated as the first bishop of Maramureş region in 1690, after the eparchy was separated from Mukachevo eparchy because of fears that the entire region would be converted to the Uniate faith. Stoika was influenced by Calvinism and therefore met considerable opposition from the local Ukrainian and Romanian clergy. He managed to retain his position for a time with backing from the Protestant Hungarian nobility but was finally deposed in 1705. His Romanian successor proved totally unacceptable, and Stoika was returned as bishop in 1710. He died not long thereafter.

[This article originally appeared in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, vol. 5 (1993).]