ORLANDO, Florida - An archbishop was elected Monday as the new spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church in America.
Archbishop Herman replaces Metropolitan Theodosius, who is retiring after 25 years because of poor health. The new primate will now be known as Metropolitan Herman.
The Orthodox Church in America, headquartered in Syosset, New York, has about 3 million followers in 2,500 parishes in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The church traces its roots to the arrival of Russian missionaries in Alaska in 1794. More than three decades ago, the Orthodox Church in Russia granted the OCA self-governance.
Metropolitan Herman will be formally installed at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Washington in September. He did not speak publicly Monday, but was expected to give his first address as primate Tuesday.
Metropolitan Herman is expected to lead efforts to strengthen evangelism among immigrants to the Americas from traditionally Orthodox Christian lands in Europe and the Middle East, and immediately begin presiding over discussions on funding the church's expanding ministries.
Monday's vote by clergy and lay delegates at the 13th All-American Council was later ratified by the church's Holy Synod of Bishops. Metropolitan Herman was elected over Bishop Seraphim, head of the Archdiocese of Canada, on the second ballot after a first round did not produce a winner.
Metropolitan Theodosius, 68, took a four-month leave last year after suffering strokes and announced his retirement in April.
In his last primatial address Monday, he said: "As I look back upon the 35 years I have served as a bishop and the 25 years I have served as primate, I am humbled by the struggles, mission and growth that have led us to become the Orthodox Church in America. And I rejoice in the blessings that have been bestowed by God upon our church on this continent."
Metropolitan Herman was born Joseph Swaiko in Briarford, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 1, 1932. He received a degree in business administration from Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, then served in the Adjutant General Corps of the Army. In 1994, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop, heading the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania.