New Primate of Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church is elected

DECR Communication Service, 28.09.2023.

An Extraordinary Council of the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church that took place in Tokyo on September 28 elected its new primate.

Archbishop Seraphim (Tsujie) of Sendai, Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan See of the Japanese Orthodox Church, was elected Archbishop of Tokyo and Metropolitan of All Japan.

In conformity with the Tomos of Autonomy of the Japanese Orthodox Church granted to it in 1970, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ confirmed the election by his decree and invoked God’s blessing on the labours of the newly elected Primate.

His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim was born in Akita City in Japan on March 23, 1951.

He was baptized into holy Orthodoxy in 1987 with the name of Andrew in honour of St. Andrew the First-Called. Graduated from the Tokyo Theological Seminary in 1990.

Ordained to the diaconate on 5 November 1989 and to the priesthood on 18 August 1991.

Worked at the chancellery of the Metropolia of Tokyo and served as inspector of the Tokyo Theological Seminary. He has celebrated at the Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Tokyo since August 1993.

Tonsured with the name of Seraphim in honour of St. Seraphim of Sarov at the Trinity Cathedral in the Lavra of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius on 20 August 1999.

Elected Bishop of Sendai by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on 28 December 1999. His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia officiated at his consecration at the Trinity Cathedral of St. Daniel’s Monastery in Moscow on 15 January 2000.

Elevated to the rank of archbishop on 8 July 2012.

On 11 August 2023 elected Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan See of the Japanese Orthodox Church due to the demise of Metropolitan Daniel of Tokyo and All Japan.

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New Primate of Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church is elected

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