The assistant Bishop Arsenie of Joensuu was elected Metropolitan of Kuopio and Karelia at the previous session of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Finland.
The meeting took place during November, 26-29, 2018, at New Valaam Monastery and was chaired by His Eminence Leo, Archbishop of Helsinki and all Finland, the Orthodox Church of Finland reports.
The newly elected Metropolitan of Kuopio and Karelia was born in 1957.
After attending the Orthodox Seminary in Finland, Metropolitan-elect Arsenin, born Jorma Heikkinen, studied in Finland, Russia and Greece.
He was tonsured a monk during his studies in Russia, and after returning to his homeland he joined the New Valaam Monastery where he was ordained a hieromonk in 1986.
From 1989 to 1997 he served as abbot of the New Vallam Monastery, and in 2004 he was elected Bishop of Joensuu, vicar of the Diocese of Karelia.
He was installed on January 1, 2005, at the Kuopio cathedral.
Photo credit: Orthodox Church of Finland
