Diocese of the West Nominating Assembly

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July 16, 2025
Arizona Grand Resort
Phoenix, AZ

Following the official retirement of His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin on Tuesday, July 15, Locum Tenens Metropolitan Tikhon called a Nominating Assembly of the Diocese of the West to order on Wednesday, July 16.

Delegates from the Diocese of the West met in the Sierra Ballroom of the Arizona Grand Resort. After an opening prayer, His Beatitude named Diocesan Chancellor Archpriest Kirill Sokolov as Clergy Vice-Chair of the Assembly. Metropolitan Tikhon began his opening remarks by honoring and thanking Archbishop Benjamin, who was present, for his many years of patience, humility, and even humor in leading the Diocese. The Assembly gave His Eminence a rousing ovation.

His Beatitude also outlined the Holy Synod’s process for vetting candidates for nomination to Holy Episcopacy, and gave details of his own discernment process in getting to know and recommending Archimandrite Vasily (Permiakov), who was the only vetted candidate.

After a secret ballot, the Assembly Tellers informed His Beatitude that the Diocese of the West nominated Fr. Vasily as its official candidate by a vastly overwhelming majority. Metropolitan Tikhon informed the Assembly that he would be calling the Holy Synod to make its official election later that afternoon.