Springfield, Virginia, December 9, 2024
Photo: oca.org The Orthodox Church in America’s hierarch of the Diocese of San Francisco and the West will officially retire next summer.
The Holy Synod of the OCA announced yesterday that it approved His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin’s petition to retire, which will take effect on July 15, 2025.
“With gratitude for his many years of service, the Holy Synod received and accepted his letter, expressing their appreciation for His Eminence’s tireless commitment to Christ’s Church and the faithful of the Diocese of the West.”
Abp. Benjamin, 70, who has served as a hierarch since 2004, announced in 2021 that he is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
The Archbishop is known for his commitment to pastoral care, fostering Orthodox education, and liturgical practice. Even after receiving his diagnosis, he has persisted in regularly visiting the 60+ parishes, missions, and eight monasteries under his guidance. The diocese’s adult membership has increased by 18% in recent years.
***
His Eminence was born on June 1, 1954, and was baptized and chrismated into holy Orthodoxy on April 27, 1972. He was ordained to the diaconate on November 15, 1987 and tonsured into monasticism the next year.
He was ordained to the priesthood on July 19, 1997, and elevated to the rank of archimandrite in 2002. He was consecrated to the episcopacy on May 1, 2004, initially serving as auxiliary to Bishop Tikhon of San Francisco. He was installed as ruling bishop of the Diocese and San Francisco and the West on October 2, 2007. He was elevated to the dignity of Archbishop in the spring of 2012.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
