Archbishop Benjamin Officially Enters Retirement
His Eminence had served as the Orthodox Church in America’s (OCA) Archbishop of San Francisco and the West since 2012, and as a bishop since 2004.
SAN FRANCISCO — As was previously announced by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the OCA in December, His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West officially entered into retirement on July 15, the second day of the 21st All-American Council in Phoenix.
A Special Nominating Assembly for the next Bishop of San Francisco and the West is scheduled to be convened today, July 16, 2025, at the All-American Council.
“In 2021, His Eminence announced to the Diocese that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease,” the initial release from the OCA stated in December. “He has since continued his active travel schedule to be present as much as possible with the more than sixty parishes and missions and eight monasteries entrusted to his archpastoral care. In the last few years, the adult census of the Diocese has grown by 18%.”
A full bio on Archbishop Benjamin’s life and ministry can be found here.
In May, the members of the Diocean Council and Nominating Committee announced that Archbishop Benjamin would have “an appropriate housing option” through the Home of Mercy charity, which is located next door to the St. Seraphim Cathedral in Santa Rosa.
“We all have observed with loving concern the toll Parkinson’s has taken on His Eminence and are grateful to God that he will have the opportunity to retire,” the May letter stated. “... We will continue to benefit from his wisdom, guidance, and prayer.”
The nominating assembly taking place for Archbishop Benjamin’s successor appears to already have its option picked in Fr. Vasily Permiakov, as the letter in May “wholeheartedly endorsed” him.
Recently tonsured as a monastic and elevated to the rank of Archimandrite by the Holy Synod, Fr.Vasily has spent time as a faculty member at both Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, New York, and St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Crestwood, New York.
Identified as a potential episcopal candidate for the West several years ago by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin, Fr. Vasily was invited to speak with the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee and the full Diocesan Council back in December.
“During our conversations, he edified and inspired us with his thoughtful, candid, and spiritually grounded answers to our questions,” the May communication states. “He likewise encouraged by asking profound and discerning questions of his own, demonstrating a heartfelt interest in the spiritual life, the pastoral challenges, and the growth of our Diocese.”
After inquiring about proper process and whether other candidates were available for conversation, Metropolitan Tikhon said that the two names suggested “would not be available for the office” and encouraged the Diocese to continue in dialogue with Fr. Vasily.
The letter acknowledged that “it may seem counterintuitive to have only one vetted candidate” available for consideration, but still endorsed Fr. Vasily, expressing encouragement in the decision due to his full support by Metropolitan Tikhon and Archbishop Benjamin:
“Having a true theologian, one steeped in the knowledge and love of the Divine Services, will benefit this Diocese which has forged a reputation for liturgical excellence and vitality. We are impressed by how his students confide in and turn to Fr. Vasily for counsel, and more recently but remarkably, for the healing sacrament of Confession. We believe that the love and pastoral care that Fr. Vasily has shown to his seminarians and the conciliarity and care he has demonstrated in his collaborations with his colleagues on two seminary faculties will grow into a leadership style in the Diocese of the West marked by archpastoral love and devotion to us, the clergy and faithful.”
Previously, UOJ reported that a scholarship had been launched to honor the legacy of Archbishop Benjamin.
