View source for Benjamin (Peterson) of San Francisco

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Bishop '''Benjamin (Peterson) of San Francisco and the West''' is ruling [[bishop]] of the [[Diocese of the West (OCA)|Diocese the the West]] of the [[Orthodox Church in America]], as well as the acting Administrator of the Diocese of Alaska. 

==Life==
Born Vincent Peterson in Pasadena, California on [[June 1]], 1954, Vincent came to the Orthodox faith in 1972. He was [[baptism|baptized]] and chrismated on [[April 27]], 1972 at Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Los Angeles. Vincent’s theological education continued at [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St. Vladimir’s Seminary]] in Crestwood, New York in 1982 from which he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and a Certificate in Liturgical Music. After graduation he pursued his love of music as a choir director in [[parish]]es in Detroit, Michigan and Los Angeles. He also served as chairman of the Department of Liturgical Music of the OCA.

On [[November 15]], 1987, Vincent joined the [[Major orders|Holy Orders]] when he was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]]. He continuing serving at the Holy Virgin Cathedral for ten years as deacon and education director. In 1988, Vincent chose a [[monasticism|monastic]] life and was [[tonsure]]d, by Bishop Tikhon of San Francisco, a  rassophore [[monk]] and given the name Benjamin. Subsequently, Dn. Benjamin was tonsured to the lesser Schema by [[Herman (Swaiko) of Washington and New York|Abp. Herman]] of Philadelphia at [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)|St. Tikhon’s Monastery]] in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. In 1991, Hierodeacon Benjamin was elevated to archdeacon. On [[July 19]], 1997, Hierodeacon Benjamin was ordained to the Holy [[Priest]]hood by Bishop Tikhon.

In 1999, Hieromonk Benjamin was transferred to the [[Diocese of Alaska (OCA)|Diocese of Alaska]]. Initially in Alaska, Hierodeacon Benjamin served as dean of St. Innocent Cathedral in Anchorage, and later he was named administrative dean of [[St. Herman's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Kodiak, Alaska)|St Herman’s Seminary]] in Kodiak. In 2002, he was elevated to the rank of [[archimandrite]]. In January 2004, Archimandrite Benjamin returned to the Holy Virgin Cathedral in Los Angeles as the pastor. While in Los Angeles he was appointed [[Chancellor]] of the Diocese of the West.

In March 2004, Archimandrite Benjamin was elected to the episcopacy by the [[Synod]] of Bishops of the OCA and assigned as [[auxiliary bishop]] in the Diocese of the West. His [[consecration of a bishop|consecration]] as Bishop of Berkeley took place at Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco on [[May 1]], 2004. In November 2004, he was arrested for DUI, after which some degree of rehabilitation took place. After the retirement of Bp. Tikhon of San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2007, Bp. Benjamin was elected to the [[see]] of San Francisco. He was installed as ruling bishop on [[October 2]], 2007.

The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America elevated Bishop BENJAMIN to the dignity of Archbishop on May 9, 2012.

{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=[[Dmitri (Royster) of Dallas|Dmitri (Royster)]]|
title=Bishop of Berkeley|
years=2004-2007|
after=&mdash;}}
{{succession|
before=[[Tikhon (Fitzgerald) of San Francisco and Los Angeles|Tikhon (Fitzgerald)]]|
title=Bishop of San Francisco and the West|
years=2007-present|
after=&mdash;}}
{{end box}} 

==Source==
*[http://www.oca.org/HSbiobenjamin.asp?SID=7 OCA: Benjamin (Peterson) of San Francisco ]

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:21st-century bishops]]
[[Category:Bishops of San Francisco]]
[[Category:Bishops of Berkeley]]
[[Category:Converts to Orthodox Christianity|Peterson]]
[[Category:St. Vladimir's Seminary Graduates]]