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After he had graduated from the ecclesiastical school and theological [[seminary]] in Tambov, Ivan enrolled in the [[St. Petersburg Theological Academy|St. Petersburg Academy]] where he became an inspector. At the academy, [[Archimandrite]] (later bishop) Theodore asserted a great influence on Ivan, an influence he carried through his life in Russia as well as in the immigration. Upon completing his studies at the academy, Ivan took [[monasticism|monastic]] vows and was [[tonsure]]d and given the name Benjamin.
From 1910 to 1911, [[hieromonk]] Benjamin served as secretary to the Abp. [[Sergius I (Stragorodsky) of Moscow|Sergius (Stragorodsky)]]. Between 1911 and 1913, having been raised to archimandrite, Benjamin served as the [[rector]] of the Taurichesky Seminary, followed by a similar assignment at the Tversky Seminary from 1913 to 1917. He then participated in the [[All-Russian Church Council of 1917-1918|1917-1918 Local Council]] of the Church of Russia. In February, Arch. Benjamin was consecrated bishop in Savastopol as [[vicar]] of the Tavrichesky [[diocese]].
In 1920, Bp. Benjamin joined with the forces of the White army during the Russian Civil War with the Bolshevik regime. At the request of Baron P. N. Wrangel, Bp. Benjamin led the military [[clergy]] of the Russian army. In November 1920, Bp. Benjamin was among the army and refugees who fled their homeland as the Soviet forces gained superiority. He remained with the elements of the refugee army and navy in [[Constantinople]] until he moved to Serbia.
