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
Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery
Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.
Cherkasy court accuses Metropolitan Theodosiy of “improper sermon”
At another court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, an expert attempted to argue that there had been no violent seizure of the monastery in Cherkasy and that the alleged crime was committed by the Cherkasy hierarch through an “improper” sermon.
Catherine Whiteford discusses defense of UOC with Congressman Riley Moore
An American political figure spoke about a meeting that addressed the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and freedom of religion.
7-meter didukh to replace Christmas tree installed on Maidan
According to KSCA representatives, "the didukh, unlike the borrowed Christmas tree, is a traditional pre-Christian symbol of ancient Ukrainians".
Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU will not take part in services at Phanar
The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that the OCU is not mentioned in the diptychs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and will not participate in joint services at the Phanar.
SBU shows what to do with those who celebrate Christmas on January 7
The video of the SBU features its employees breaking down the apartment doors with the comment: "Who comes 'caroling' to those who celebrate Christmas on January 7."