St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - News Releases News Release Archimandrite BENJAMIN (Peterson), SVS Alumnus, Consecrated Bishop of Berkeley

Archimandrite BENJAMIN (Peterson), SVS Alumnus, Consecrated Bishop of Berkeley
Members of St Vladimir's Seminary community travel to San Francisco for historic occasion

Crestwood, NY—His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN presided at the consecration of Archimandrite Benjamin (Peterson) to the episcopacy at San Francisco's Holy Trinity Cathedral, on May 1, 2004.

Several members of the St Vladimir's Seminary community, including Dean John Erickson, traveled to San Francisco for the significant event in the life of the Orthodox Church. Also attending the weekend celebrations were Eleana Silk, librarian of St Vladimir's Seminary, Deacon Kirill Sokolov, director of systems, and his wife Sophia Sokolov, a seminarian in the M.Div. program.

The canonical election was held at 6:00 PM on Friday, April 30, 2004, followed by Great Vespers. On the following day, May 1, Archimandrite Benjamin was made Bishop of Berkeley and Auxiliary to His Grace, Bishop TIKHON. His Grace, Bishop TIKHON of San Francisco and the West and His Grace, Bishop NIKOLAI of Sitka, Anchorage, and Alaska concelebrated with His Beatitude.

Dean John Erickson was among those offering words of congratulation to Bishop Benjamin during the consecration banquet. Dean Erickson spoke on behalf of the faculty, students, and graduates of Bishop Benjamin's alma mater, congratulating His Grace and expressing the admiration and fond memories the seminary community has of Bishop Benjamin's years at the seminary.

Deacon Kirill Sokolov served during the weekend's divine services at which many alumni of the seminary concelebrated.

The newly ordained Bishop Benjamin is an alumnus of St Vladimir's Seminary, completing the Master of Divinity program in 1981 and receiving a Certificate in Liturgical Music from the seminary in 1978. Prior to his elevation, he served as Chancellor of the Diocese of the West and will continue in that capacity as auxiliary bishop.