Seraphim (Storheim) of Ottawa

Archbishop Seraphim

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Seraphim (Storheim) served as ruling bishop of the Archdiocese of Canada of the Orthodox Church in America from 1990 to 2010. Archbishop Seraphim was also secretary to the Holy Synod, Chair of the Church's Department of External Affairs, and the first Canadian to be consecrated to the episcopacy within the OCA. His tenure ended when he was placed on a leave of absence effective October 1, 2010. He was officially retired in March 2014. Later, in 2015, the retired Archbishop Seraphim was canonically deposed from the episcopacy and returned to the status of a lay monk, following accusations of misconduct.

Life

Abp. Seraphim was born Kenneth William Storheim in Edmonton, Alberta on January 25, 1946, of Norwegian and Scottish parents, and was raised in the Lutheran church.

Receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta, Seraphim also studied at the Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, British Columbia. A former Anglican rector and accomplished musician, he was received into the Orthodox Church in 1978, accepting as his heavenly patron St. Seraphim of Sarov. He then attended St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York, where he graduated and received the Master of Theology degree in 1981.

Prior to his consecration to the episcopacy, His Eminence lived at New Valaam monastery in Finland, and served as a parish priest in communities throughout the United States and Canada.

He was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Edmonton in 1987, and became ruling bishop of the archdiocese in 1990. He was elevated to the rank of archbishop at the Spring 2007 meeting of the OCA's Holy Synod.

As secretary of the Holy Synod of the OCA, His Eminence has served in a number of administrative capacities for the holy synod, and has also travelled extensively in Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East, and throughout Europe.

Although often on the road visiting the many and far-flung communities of the Archdiocese, as well as representing the OCA internationally, Abp. Seraphim's residence is an hour south of Ottawa, near Johnstown, at the Archdiocesan Centre, Fair Haven.

On September 4, 2008, following the retirement of Metropolitan Herman due to ill health (and pending back surgery), the Holy Synod of the OCA named Abp. Seraphim the administrator of the Metropolitan’s See and to assist His Eminence, Dmitri who was appointed the locum tenens.

In late September 2010 the Lesser Synod meeting in Oyster Bay Cove, NY, heard a report that Canadian police were investigating a complaint of sexual misconduct against Archbishop Seraphim. This act was alleged to have taken place thirty years prior when Archbishop Seraphim was a priest in Winnipeg. He was placed on a three-month leave of absence as the investigation continued and his episcopal responsibilities were being managed by Bishop Irenee.

During their annual fall session in Detroit, Michigan on October 19-23, 2015, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America canonically deposed the retired Archbishop Seraphim from the status and all sacred functions of the episcopacy, removed him from the ranks of the clergy, and returned him to the status of a lay monk.

See also

• Archdiocese of Canada (OCA)

External Links

• Archdiocese of Canada (Official Site)
• Official biography
• List of Bishops of Canada
• Decision of deposition of Archbishop Seraphim

Succession box: Seraphim (Storheim) of Ottawa
Preceded by: Joasaph (Antoniuk)	Archbishop of Edmonton (OCA) 1987-1990	Succeeded by: ?
Preceded by: Theodosius (Lazor) locum tenens	Archbishop of Ottawa (OCA) 1990-2014	Succeeded by: Irénée (Rochon)

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