Metropolitan Elia of Oulu elected as the new Archbishop of the Church of Finland

The Clergy-Laity 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 katholikon of the Valamo Monastery on 28 November 2024.

Metropolitan Elia will travel to Constantinople today, Friday, 29 November 2024, where he will participate in the services celebrating the Feast of St. Andrew the First-Called at the venerable centre of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Friday and Saturday.

The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate will convene on Sunday, 1 December 2024, during which the canonical election and confirmation of the Church of Finland 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 new Archbishop will take place at the Uspenski Cathedral during the Divine Liturgy on 15 December 2024, starting at 9:00 AM.

Source: Church of Finland