Metropolitan Mitrofan (Kodic)
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Metropolitan Mitrofan (Kodić) (1951-____)
Mitrofan may be spelt Mitrophan.
Kodić may be spelt Kodic, Kodich.
Early life of Radovan Kodić
Radovan Kodić was born on 4 August, 1951, in the village Ljuša, Šipovo, Bosnia, Yugoslavia.
He grew up as an Orthodox Christian within the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Higher education
Radovan completed his elementary studies in 1966.
He went to study further at the seminary in the Krka Monastery in Croatia, Yugoslavia.
Monastic beginning
At the same time, he entered the brotherhood of the Krka Monastery.
Monastic tonsure, 1970
In 1970, Radovan was tonsured to be a monk, in the Krka Monastery. He was given the name Mitrofan on the eve of the Feast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple (20 November/3 December).
Diaconal ordination, 1970
On the Feast-day of the Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple (21 December/4 December), Monk Mitrofan (Kodić) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop Stefan (Boca) of Žiča.
In 1971, Hierodeacon Mitrofan (Kodić) graduated from the Seminary of the Three Holy Hierarchs of the Krka Monastery.
Presbyteral ordination, 1974
On 6 January, 1974, Hierodeacon Mitrofan was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in the Krka Monastery by Bishop Stefan (Boca).
Further study, 1975
In 1975, Hieromonk Mitrofan (Kodić) entered the Faculty of Theology in Bucharest, Romania. He completed his studies, and he graduated in 1977.
He then returned to the Krka monastery. There, he was assigned to be a “supplent”, or “trainee” in the Seminary of the Three Holy Hierarchs in the Krka Monastery.
In 1979, he passed the professorship examination.
In 1980, the Hieromonk Mitrofan was assigned to serve as the assistant rector of the seminary.
In 1987, the Hieromonk Mitrofan was assigned to serve as the rector of the seminary.
In May, 1987, the Hieromonk Mitrofan (Kodić) was elected by the Assembly of Bishops ("Sabor") of the Serbian Orthodox Church to become a bishop.
Episcopal Ordination, 1987
On 11 July, 1987, in the Studenica Monastery, Patriarch German II (Djoric) of Serbia, together with 7 hierarchs and 9 priests, served at the Profession of Faith.
On 12 July (29 June), on the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, during Divine Liturgy, Patriarch German, together with 4 bishops, ordained the Hieromonk Mitrofan (Kodić) to the Holy Episcopate. There were 16 priests and 11 deacons who also served.
Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić)
Episcopal service
Bishop Mitrofan was assigned to be the Vicar-Bishop of Toplica, and also to serve as the assistant to the administrator of the Diocese of Midwestern America, Bishop Dr. Sava (Vuković).
Transfer to the USA, 1988
Bishop Mitrofan was assigned to be the administrator of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Midwestern America in 1988.
In 1991, Bishop Mitrofan was elected to become the Bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Eastern Diocese of the USA.
In 1997, he earned his Ph.D. degree in Belgrade. His doctoral thesis was entitled, "The Mystery of Christ According to the Epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians of the Holy Apostle Paul".
In 1999, along with Jesse Jackson, he played a key role in securing the release of 3 American GIs held captive during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.
Bishop Mitrofan served also as the Professor of New Testament at the Saint Sava School of Theology in Libertyville, Illinois.
Bishop Mitrofan and 2 ROCOR bishops, 2006
Bishop Mitrofan holding Holy Relics of Saint Sergiy of Radonezh
Transfer to Canada, 2016
In May, 2016, Bishop Mitrofan was assigned to become the bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. There was an announcement published by the Serbian Orthodox Church :
By the will of God and the grace of the Holy Spirit at the regular Assembly of the Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, held at the Patriarchate in Belgrade from May 14-25, 2016, His Grace, Dr. Mitrofan (Kodić), up to now the Bishop of Eastern America was chosen to be the Bishop of Canada.
The Canadian diocesan centre is at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery at Campbellville, near Milton, Ontario.
Faithful to his monastic roots and calling, Bishop Mitrofan enjoys celebrating the services of the Holy Orthodox Church. He is an authority on the intricacies of the many different services.
Bishop Mitrofan sets an example of life-long learning for the clergy and the faithful by participating in national and international conferences and by his continued personal study.
Christian education of the young people is a priority for Bishop Mitrofan.
During his archpastorate, the Eastern Diocese of the USA saw an expansion of missionary activities. During his first 10 years there, 6 mission parishes were established.
Bishop Mitrofan has also been an exemplary model of Christian stewardship. When the hardship of war came to Bosnia, Kosovo and elsewhere in Serbia, he was resolute and articulate in securing aid for those who were in great need.
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Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić)
Enthronement in Mississauga, Ontario, 2016
On 18 September, 2016, Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić) was enthroned to be the ruling Bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. This service took place at the All Serbian Saints Serbian Orthodox Church in Mississauga, Ontario. Patriarch Irinej (Gavrilovic) presided at the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, together with Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), Vladyka Irénée (Rochon) and 7 other bishops, as well as more than 50 priests.
Enthronement Liturgy of Bishop Mitrofan, 2016
Bishop of Canada
On the Sunday of All Saints, 10/23 June, 2019, the Diocese of Canada celebrated the annual Diocesan Day at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Milton. The celebration began with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy served by Bishop Longin of New Gracanica and Midwestern America, with the concelebration of Bishop Mitrofan of Canada, and the retired bishop of Canada, Bishop Georgije.
Besides the many greetings and speeches and other aspects of this great occasion, Bishop Mitrofan took the opportunity to announce the newly-established Fund for Youth in the Diocese of Canada. The aim of the fund is to encourage younger generations in Canada to serve and to persevere as Orthodox Christians in their daily lives.
Diocesan Day 2019
On 3 November, 2019, the 800th anniversary of the autocephaly (self-government) of the Serbian Orthodox Church was marked with festivities following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Kitchener, Ontario. The Divine Liturgy was served by Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić), Bishop Sava (Jurić), retired bishop of Slavonia, and Bishop Heruvim (Đermanović) of Osek-Polje and Baranja. They were assisted by a large number of clergy from the Serbian Diocese of Canada and visitors from other dioceses.
800th anniversary of Serbian autocephaly in Kitchener, 2019
In 2020-2021, the Covid-19 virus came to Canada. With it and its treatment as a pandemic came repeated and prolonged closures and/or limited permitted attendance in the Temples everywhere in Canada. The particular nature of these limitations depended on the regulations established by each province. Interprovincial travel was severely curtailed, and international travel became almost impossible.
— Vicar-Bishop of Toplica 1987-1991. Preceded by : ___. Succeeded by : ___.
— Administrator of the Diocese of Midwestern America 1988-1991.
— Bishop of Eastern America 1991-2016. Preceded by : Bishop Christopher (Kovačević). Succeeded by : Bishop Irinej (Dobrijević).
— Bishop of Canada 2016-____. Preceded by : Bishop Georgije Dkokić. Succeeded by : ___.
Reflections
As it is written about him in his “Introduction to the Holy Scriptures, the New Testament”, Bishop Mitrofan (Kodić) is a well-formed New Testament scholar. He has not only the usual academic formation, but in the tradition of the Orthodox Christian Fathers, he lives and breathes the Scriptures.
His whole-hearted commitment to the Holy Scriptures, and especially to the New Testament (also called the New Covenant) is revealed by the manner in which he combines the two major responsibilities of being a father and shepherd to the diocese he leads, and of serving as Dean of the Saint Sava School of Theology (and Professor of New Testament). His own example shows any serious Christian how to become immersed in and live in harmony with the New Testament.
Bishop Mitrofan's love for the Holy Church is manifested though his writing and research.
It may be said that this love is manifested also in the manner of his pastoral and prayerful leadership of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. He lives and behaves in accordance with what he teaches.
Writings
A scholar and voluminous writer, Vladika Mitrofan has published many different theological books and articles.
From the Romanian, Vladika Mitrofan translated the following books by Dumitru Staniloae into English : “Community and Spirituality in the Orthodox Liturgy”, “Orthodox Dogmatics”, “The Immortal Image of God”, “Orthodox Moral Theology”, and “The Gospel Image of Christ”. He also translated “The Romanian Patericon I and II” and the “Dictionary of Orthodox Theology” by Ioanichie Bălan.
He has written 2 books : “The Teaching of St. Apostle Paul on the Church” (published in 1991 in Chicago, and translated into English), and “Introduction to the Holy Scriptures, the New Testament” (in Serbian : “Uvod U Sveto Pismo Novoga Zaveta”).
Inspirational writings of His Grace have appeared in "The Path of Orthodoxy" and "The American Srbobran".
References
Wikipedia biography (in Serbian)
Additional information :
Milanović, Milena, “A biographical Dictionary of Serbians 1996-1999” (University of Michigan, MI : published by Milena Milanović, 1999)
Tarasar, Constance J, ed., "Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America" (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.
Vuković, Sava, “History of the Serbian Orthodox Church in America and Canada 1891–1941” (Kragujevac, Serbia : Kalenić, 1998)
Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Serbia
Wikipepdia article about the Serbian Orthodox Church
Bishop Christopher (Kovačević)
Patriarch Irenej prepares for enthronement of Bishop Mitrofan after his election to Canada
Basilica.ro interview with Bishop Mitrofan (in Romanian)
Wikipedia about the Serbian diocese of Canada
History of the Serbian Diocese
Orthodox wiki article about the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America
Holy Transfiguration Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Milton, Ontario
Saint Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, Hamilton, Ontario
Diocesan Day celebrated at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Milton, Ontario (3 June, 2018)
Bishop Mitrofan visited Saint Sava Church in Toronto, Ontario (30 October, 2018)
Diocesan Day in Canada celebrated at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Milton (20 June, 2019)
Christmas message of His Grace, Bishop Mitrofan (2020) (in Serbian)