SPRINGFIELD, VA [OCA]

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has announced the upcoming retirement of His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin, Archbishop of San Francisco and the West. In a letter read before the Synod at its recent session, His Eminence asked the Holy Synod to accept his retirement, taking effect on July 15, 2025, the second day of the 21st All-American Council in Phoenix, AZ. With gratitude for his many years of service, the Holy Synod received and accepted his letter, expressing their appreciation for His Eminence’s tireless commitment to Christ’s Church and the faithful of the Diocese of the West.

Throughout his archpastoral ministry, Archbishop Benjamin has been known for his devotion to pastoral care, education, and the liturgical life of the Church. After his ordination to the holy diaconate in 1987, he served faithfully in parish and educational ministries. After ordination to the holy priesthood, he served for a time in Alaska before becoming Chancellor of the Diocese of the West in 2004. He was elected to the episcopacy later that year and was consecrated as Bishop of Berkeley and later became Bishop of San Francisco in 2007. Elevated to the dignity of Archbishop in 2012, His Eminence served the Diocese of the West with dedication for many years. In 2021, His Eminence announced to the Diocese that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He has since continued his active travel schedule to be present as much as possible with the more than sixty parishes and missions and eight monasteries entrusted to his archpastoral care. In the last few years, the adult census of the Diocese has grown by 18%.

As he prepares for his retirement, the Holy Synod and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America extend heartfelt gratitude for his ministry and ask God to grant him many years!

Issued by the Diocesan Media Office