Church of Latvia
{diocese| name=Latvian Orthodox Church| jurisdiction=Russia | type=Semi-autonomous| founded=1850| bishop=Alexander (Kudryashov)| hq=Riga, Latvia| territory=Latvia| language=Church Slavonic, Latvian| music=Russian Chant| calendar=Julian| population=unknown| website=Latvian Orthodox Church }} The Orthodox Church of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Pareizticīgā Baznīca, Russian: Латвийская Православная Церковь) is a semi-autonomous part of the Russian Orthodox Church with canonical jurisdiction in Latvia. It's primate, with the title Metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia is currently Alexander (Kudryashovs).
History
In 1836, the vicariate of Riga was established as part of the Pskov diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1850, the vicariate was transformed into the diocese of Riga. In 1990, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church granted the Riga diocese autonomy, and it was incorporated as the Latvian Orthodox Church.
Latvian Orthodoxy Today
The Latvian Orthodox Church currently numbers 118 parishes and 92 clergy (79 priests and 13 deacons), one monastery, two convents, and one theological seminary. The church authors several publications in both Russian and Latvian[1].
Serving bishops:
- Metropolitan Alexander (Kudryashov) (Latvian: Aleksandrs Kudrjašovs) of Riga and All Latvia.
- Bishop Alexander (Matrenin) of Daugavpils, Vicar of the Riga Diocese
