Orthodox Church in America Diocese of the West
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The Orthodox Church in America Diocese of the West is a diocese of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Its territory includes parishes, monasteries, and missions located in eight states in the Western United States – Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The diocesan chancery is located in Los Angeles, California.
The current bishop of the West is the Most Blessed Herman, who is also the OCA's ruling primate. Metr. Herman has served as the locum tenens of the diocese of San Francisco, Los Angeles and the West since the retirement of Bishop Tikhon (Fitzgerald) in November 2006. During a special diocesan assembly held on January 31, 2007, Bishop Benjamin (Peterson) of Berkeley was unanimously nominated to replace Bishop Tikhon as Diocesan Hierarch.[1] Bishop Benjamin's name will be submitted to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the OCA, who will elect a new Diocesan Hierarch during their spring session.
Bishop Benjamin has served as Chancellor of the Diocese of the West since January 2004, and has been the temporary Administrator of the diocese since Bishop Tikhon's retirement.
Bishop Benjamin was elected by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the OCA on the 20th of March, 2007.
[edit] Deaneries
The diocese is grouped geographically into six deaneries, each consisting of a number of parishes. Each deanery is headed by a parish priest, known as a dean. The deans coordinate activities in their area's parishes, and report to the diocesan bishop. The current deaneries of the Diocese of the West and their territories are:
- Missionary District – Arizona, California, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, and Washington
- San Francisco Russian Missionary District Deanery – California
- Pacific Central Deanery – California
- Pacific Northwest Deanery – Oregon and Washington
- Pacific Southwest Deanery – Arizona, California, and Nevada
- Rocky Mountain Deanery – Colorado
[edit] External links
- Official site
- Biography of Bishop Benjamin on oca.org
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