How did Peter the Great westernize Russia?

Answer 1

he eliminated the position of the patriarch of the Russian orthodox church

Answer 2

He just wanted to take control governmental over the Church just to prevent the Church leaders from influencing policy and to some extent it made it possible to establish absolutism. He founded the Holy Synod, a governmental body from which the monarchy and the influential nobility could control the Church and the sphere of religion.

Answer 3

Peter the Great transformed Russia from a Tsardom into an empire. After becoming sole ruler in 1696 when his older half-brother Ivan, Peter implemented a wide variety of reforms to modernize Russia and make it a true equal of the Western European powers.

Answer 4

No, he didn't run it, but he certainly interfered in its affairs. When the Patriarch of Moscow died, he abolished the Patriarchate and replaced it with a Synod of bishops who were directly appointed by him. Peter opposed the traditions of the Orthodox Church and disliked monks and men with beards. The Russian Orthodox Church suffered very much under Peter, and it took many years to restore its position in Russian society.