Simon (Ishunin) of Brussels

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His Eminence, the Most Reverend Simon (Ishunin) of Brussels and Belgium is the archbishop of the Diocese of Brussels and Belgium of the Church of Russia. He is also the administrator of the Diocese of the Hague and the Netherlands.

Life

Vladimir Nikolaevich Ishunin was born of December 7, 1951 in Leningrad, USSR, now St. Petersburg, Russia. He was born into a family of priests. After he he completed his secondary education, Vladimir entered the Leningrad theological seminary and academy. He graduated in 1979.

On January 17, 1975, while a student, Vladimir was tonsured a monk, with the name Simon (in honor of the Apostle Simon-Peter), by Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) of Leningrad and Novgorod. Mk. Simon was then ordained a hierodeacon on January 19, 1975 in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. His ordination as a hieromonk was on June 13, 1976.

While still a student at the Leningrad Academy, Fr. Simon was the private secretary to Metr. Nikodim from 1975 to 1978. From 1978, after the repose of Metr. Nikodim, Fr. Simon was named assistant inspector and a teacher at the seminary and academy until 1981. In 1981, he completed and presented his thesis for his license in Russian Church History on the subject of His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodim of Leningrad and Novgorod (Life and Activity).

During 1981 and 1982, Fr. Simon entered the Monastery of New Valaam in Finland as a monk. In 1982, Fr. Simon was raised to the dignity of archimandrite by Metro. Anthony (Melnikov) of Leningrad. He was also named rector of the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross in Petrozvodsk, Karelia, on Lake Onega, and dean of the Diocese of Olonets.

On March 23, 1987, Patr. Pimen and the Holy Synod of the Church of Russia named Archim. Simon to the see of Brussels and Belgium. On April 10, his nomination as bishop took place in the Church of St. John the Theologian of the Theological Seminary and Academy of Leningrad, followed on the next day with his consecration as Bishop of Brussels by hierarchs led by Metr. Alexei (Ridiger) of Leningrad.

On August 30, 1991, Bp. Simon was also named to administer the Diocese of the Hague and the Netherlands. On February 20, 1994, Bp. Simon was elevated to the rank of archbishop. He received, in February 2003, the order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd class.

Succession box:
Simon (Ishunin) of Brussels
Preceded by:
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Archbishop of Brussels
Church of Russia

1987-Present
Succeeded by:
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