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
Authorities cancelled the transfer of heritage churches to permanent use
The government replaced the permanent transfer of heritage churches to communities with temporary hourly access.
The OCU stated that the Pope is playing into Moscow's hands
An OCU cleric rebuked the Greek Catholics for their silence in the context of the Pope's statements about the necessity of peace.
Iran raises $1.3 million for sacrificial offering to pray for ayatollah's recovery
Iranians outraged by call to fund sacrificial ritual for the health of Ayatollah Khamenei.
Zelensky signs law on the National Pantheon
The National Pantheon of Ukraine will have a non-denominational status.
Ukraine now allows matronymics alongside patronymics
Ukrainian legislation has allowed people to change their patronymic since 2021, including replacing the father's name with the mother's name.
Kharkiv's gay community announces LGBT march
At the pride march in Kharkiv, participants will demand the legalization of same-sex marriages in Ukraine.