In January 2024, Archbishop Leo (b. 1948) of Helsinki and All Finland, who has served as Archbishop of the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Finland since 2001, petitioned His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, on January 6, requesting his benediction for his intention to retire during the 2024 Easter period.
His All-Holiness referred the matter to the Synodical Inter-Orthodox Commission for their consideration. At a meeting of the Holy and Sacred Synod held at the Patriarchal headquarters in Phanar on May 17-18, 2024, Archbishop Leo’s request to retire was approved, becoming effective during the upcoming Clergy-Laity Church Assembly in Valamo Monastery on November 25–28, 2024.
The Church Council of the Orthodox Church of Finland will place the new Archbishop’s election to the Clergy-Laity Church Assembly meeting agenda.
In accordance with the Tomos of the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Finland, the decision of the Assembly will be submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the subsequent canonically prescribed procedures.
