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His Grace '''John (BerzinsBērziņš) ''' (Latvian: Jānis (Bērziņš), Russian: Иоанн (Берзинь)) is [[Bishop]] of Caracas, Venezuela , and administrator of the [[diocese]] of South America for the [[ROCORRussian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia]](ROCOR).

His Grace was born Pēteris Bērziņš on [[March 16]], 1957 , in Cooma, Australia, of [[Church of Latvia|Latvian Orthodox]] refugees, Leonid (1921-1996) and Margarita (b. 1924- ) Bērziņš. He grew up in Cooma and graduated with a philological degree from the Australian National University. [[Vladyka ]] John is fluent in Ancient ancient Greek and Latin.

In 1982, he entered [[Holy Trinity Monastery (Jordanville, New York)|Holy Trinity Monastery]] in Jordanville, New York, and enrolled in [[Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary (Jordanville, New York)|Holy Trinity Seminary]]. He graduated from the [[seminary ]] in 1985. He was tonsured [[tonsure]]d to the mantle on [[March 16]], 1985 , by [[Archbishop]] [[Laurus (Skurla) of New York|Archbishop Laurus of Syracuse and Holy Trinity]] and [[ordination|ordained]] [[hierodeacon ]] on [[April 12]], 1987, also by [[Archbishop]] Abp. Laurus. From 1992-1996, he served as father-confessor at Gethsemane Convent in the [[Holy Land]]. In 1994, he was awarded the gold [[clergy awards|pectoral cross ]] by Archbishop Abp. Laurus. From 2001-2005, he served again as father-confessor at Gethsemane Convent in the Holy Land. In September 2005, he was elevated to the rank of [[hegumen ]] by His Eminence [[Metropolitan ]] Laurus. From 2005 to 2008, he ministered to SS Ss. Sergius and German of Valaam Community of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America. In May 2008, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia ROCOR designated him as candidate of Bishop of Caracas.

Hegumen John was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] Bishop of Caracas on [[June 21]], 2008, at the [[Old-Rite ]] Church of the Nativity in Erie, Pennsylvania.

== Links ==[http://www.synod.com/synod/eng2008/6enberzins.html Curriculum Vita of Hegumen John (ROCOR website)]  [[Category: Bishops]]