Benjamin (Fedchenkov)

Metropolitan Benjamin
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Born	Ivan Afanasevich Fedchenkov September 14, 1880 Tambov Governorate, Russian Empire
Died	October 4, 1961 Pskovo-Pechorsky Monastery, USSR
Occupation	Bishop of Russian Orthodox Church

Metropolitan Benjamin or Veniamin (Russian: Митрополит Вениамин, born Iván Afanásevich Fédchenkov, Иван Афанасьевич Федченков; 14 September 1880 – 4 October 1961) was a Bishop of the Russian Church, Orthodox missionary and writer.

Education

Benjamin Fedchenkov was born in the village of selo Vazhki (Ilyinka), Tambov Governorate.

1917–1920. White movement

Benjamin supported the White movement and closely cooperated with Wrangel's army of the Crimean peninsula. Benjamin emigrated in November 1920 together with the defeated soldiers of the Wrangel army and other fugitives.

Loyalty to Moscow Patriarchate

1933–1947 was Exarch of Moscow Patriarchate in North America.

From April 19, 1932 was Archbishop.

From July 14, 1938 was Metropolitan of the Aleutians and North America.

Return

1947–1951 was Metropolitan of Riga and Latvia.

1951–1955 was Metropolitan of Rostov and Novocherkassk (from February 8, 1954, Metropolitan of Rostov and Kamensk).

November 28, 1955 – February 20, 1958 was Metropolitan of Saratov and Balashov (from December 26, 1957, Metropolitan of Saratov and Volsk).

Late life

He died in Pskovo-Pechorsky Monastery, and is buried in the caves of the monastery.

Sources

• (Russian) Towards the canonization of Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov)
• (Russian) Short biography and the list of Metropolitan Veniamin's works on the site "Russian Orthodoxy"