Herman (Swaiko)

Metropolitan Herman (born Joseph Swaiko, February 1, 1931 in Bairdford, Pennsylvania) is the former primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). As the head of the OCA, he was the former Archbishop of Washington and New York, and Metropolitan of All America and Canada. He was elected Metropolitan on July 22, 2002, replacing Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor), who retired due to health problems related to a series of strokes.

Metropolitan Herman completed his primary and secondary education in the West Deer Township school system, and enrolled in Robert Morris University. He graduated from Robert Morris with an associate degree in secretarial science. Upon graduation, he served as a company clerk in the Adjutant General's Corps of the United States Army, and was stationed in Labrador.

After his honorable discharge from the army in 1959, he enrolled at Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, and graduated in 1963. In March 1964, he was ordained as a deacon, and in April 1964 was ordained a priest. Subsequently, he served on the seminary's administrative staff and was an instructor of Church Slavonic. He also served as Rector of churches in Dundaff and Union Dale, Pennsylvania.

He was tonsured as a monk on December 4, 1970, and received the name Herman (in recognition of St. Herman of Alaska). On October 17, 1971, Herman was elevated to the rank of Igumen and was named Deputy Abbot of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Orthodox Monastery. In October 1972, Herman was raised to the rank of Archimandrite. He was consecrated to the Episcopacy on February 10, 1973, as Bishop of Wilkes-Barre.

After the death of Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich), Herman was elected Bishop of Philadelphia on March 17, 1981, and Rector of Saint Tikhon's Seminary in May 1982. In 1994, he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop. From May to September 2001, Archbishop Herman served as the temporary administrator of the OCA, while Metropolitan Theodosius was on a medical leave of absence.

Election to Metropolitan

On April 2, 2002, Metropolitan Theodosius (who had suffered a series of strokes) submitted a petition to the Holy Synod of the OCA, requesting his retirement. The Holy Synod granted his request, and announced an election for his replacement to be held on July 22, at the OCA's Thirteenth All-American Council in Orlando.

No candidate received the required two-thirds majority during the first round of voting, which necessitated a second round. During the second round, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada received the majority of votes, but again not the required two-thirds. Subsequently, the Holy Synod decided to elect Archbishop Herman (Metropolitan Theodosius was selected in a similar manner in 1977, having not received a two-thirds majority of votes).

Archbishop Herman was enthroned on September 8, 2002, at a ceremony in St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Metropolitan Herman was forced to retire after an investigative committee confirmed a long list of financial improprieties.