The Church Assembly of the Orthodox Church of Finland has elected Metropolitan Elia of Oulu as the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church of Finland in a vote held at the main church of the Valamo Monastery on November 28.
Metropolitan Elia will travel to Constantinople on Friday, November 29, where he will participate in the services celebrating the Feast of St. Andrew the First-Called at the center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Friday and Saturday. The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate will convene on Sunday, December 1, during which the canonical election and confirmation of the Church Assembly’s decision will take place. The elected Archbishop will immediately assume the duties of the office and return to Finland late Monday evening. Accompanying him on the trip are Archdeacon Andreas Salminen and theological secretary Jelisei Heikkilä.
The enthronement of the Archbishop will take place at the Uspenski Cathedral during the Divine Liturgy on December 15, 2024, starting at 9:00 AM.
Photo: Jyri Pitkänen