Seraphim (Storheim) of Ottawa

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Seraphim (Storheim), Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada is the ruling bishop of the Orthodox Church in America's Archdiocese of Canada, secretary to the holy synod, and Chair of the Church's Department of External Affairs. Archbishop Seraphim also has the distinction of being the first Canadian to be consecrated to the episcopacy within the OCA.

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 Grace 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 traveled 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.

Succession box: Seraphim (Storheim) of Ottawa
Preceded by: ?	Archbishop of Ottawa (OCA) 1990-present	Succeeded by: —

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See also

• Archdiocese of Canada (OCA)
• Official biography