Education
In the fall of 1969, John Stinka enrolled in theological studies at Saint Andrew"s College in Winnipeg, which he successfully completed in 1972 with a Licentiate in Theology.
In the fall of 1969, John Stinka enrolled in theological studies at Saint Andrew"s College in Winnipeg, which he successfully completed in 1972 with a Licentiate in Theology.
He was enthroned as Metropolitan of Canada on July 23, 2006. He continued his studies at the University of Manitoba following his Licentiate in Theology. French John"s first assignement was to Moose Jaw, Sk., and during that time convocated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
In August 1978, French
John was transferred to Kamsack, Sk. Throughout his pastorship, French John was active in the Ukrainian Community, and the Orthodox Community.
He was awarded his nabedrennik in 1977, and his skufia in 1980.
At the Extraordinary Sobor of the UOCC in 1983, French John was elected Bishop, and was ordained to the on November 27, 1983 at Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral, and installed as bishop of Saskatoon by Metropolitan Andrew (Metiuk), Archbishop Boris, and Bishop Wasyly (Fedak).
At the 17th Sobor, in 1985 in Winnipeg, Bishop John was appointed as Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Diocese, following the reposes of Archbishop Boris, and Metropolitan Andrew. In 1990 he was elevated to Archbishop.
Following the repose of Metropolitan Wasyly in 2005, Archbishop John became the acting Primate, and at the 21st Sobor in Winnipeg in 2006 was elected Primate, and Metropolitan (and was approved by Constantinople on November 20, 2005).
He was enthroned on Sunday, July 23, 2006, at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral. Company-presiding at the Divine Liturgy were Archbishop Yurij (Kalistchuk) of Toronto, Archbishop Antony (Sherba) of New York & Washington (UOC-United States of America), and Bishop Georgie of the Serbian Diocese of Canada. Metropolitan Sotirios of the Greek Metropolis of Toronto presided with the enthronment, and later presented Metropolitan John a Panagia from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a blue Mantiya, an episcopal staff, and a Metropolitan"s white Klobuk.