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In 1904, Fr. Meletius was raised to the dignity of [[archimandrite]]. In 1906, he was appointed [[rector]] of Tomsk Theological Seminary. On [[November 21]], 1908, Archimandrite Meletius was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated Bishop of Barnaul, a [[vicar]] to the Diocesan Bishop of Tomsk. His consecration was held in the city of Tomsk and officiated by Abp. Macarius of Tomsk with the assistance of Bp. Euthymius of Yenisei and Bishop Innocent of Biysk. On [[February 23]], 1912, Bp. Meletius was appointed Bishop of Yakutsk and Vilyuysk in the eastern part of Siberia. On [[January 26]], 1916, he was appointed Bishop of Trans-Baikal and Nerchinsk in central Siberia.
With the defeat of the White Russian army in Siberia, Bp. Meletius migrated with other [[clergy]], people, and remnants of the White army to Manchuria. In 1920, Bp. Meletius became Bishop of Harbin. In 1931, Bp. Meletius was elevated by the [[Synod]] of Bishops of ROCOR to the rank of Archbishop of Trans-Baikal and Nerchinsk with his residence in the city of Harbin. After the repose of Metr. Methodius in 1931, Abp. Meletius was installed as his successor in a new [[Diocese of Harbin]]. Abp. Meletius was raised to the rank of [[metropolitan]] in 1939 by the Synod of Bishop of ROCOR.
During World War II, the Japanese forces occupying Manchuria attempted to force members of the Russian community to bow before the Japanese goddess Amaterasu. In defense, Metr. Meletius and other members of the Orthodox clergy instituted programs to strengthen the faith of the people. The programs included conducting pastoral theological courses, forming a Theological Faculty of the St Vladimir Institute, a Theological Academy, and a Brotherhood of St John the Theologian that published liturgical books. The clergy also formed relief centers for the poor. Metr. Meletius’ efforts also included establishing four monasteries in Manchuria.
