New primate of Finnish Church announced

Metropolitan Elias. Photo: www.ort.fi/ru

On November 28, 2024, during the Local Council of the Finnish Orthodox Church, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a new primate was elected.

Metropolitan Elias (Wallgren) was elected as the new head of the Church, receiving 24 votes. His opponent, Bishop Serge (Rajapolvi), received 9 votes, while two ballots were left blank.

Before the voting, a Divine Liturgy was held at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in the Valamo Monastery (Heinävesi). The election was presided over by Archbishop Leo, who had led the Finnish Church for many years.

The newly elected Metropolitan Elias will travel to Istanbul on November 29 to attend the session of the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on December 1. The Synod is expected to officially confirm his candidacy for the position of primate.

Once approved by the Ecumenical Synod, Metropolitan Elias will be officially enthroned as Archbishop of Helsinki and All Finland. The enthronement ceremony is scheduled to take place on December 15 at the Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki.

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