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.
Read also
Lavra Reserve complains to UNESCO about heating and power outage
International experts studied possible threats to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra – from missile strikes to power and heating outages.
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.