HIS GRACE
BISHOP JOHN OF PARNASSOS

UKRANIAN ORTHODOX PARISHES IN THE DIASPORA

BIOGRAPHY :

His Grace Bishop John of Parnassos, (in the world Ivan Derewianka) was born on the 6th july 1937 in Zinkiv (Ukraine). From 1937 to 1947 he lived with his parents in Germany. He lives since 1947 in Zwartberg (Belgium). After secondary school he was a student in mathematics at the Catholic University of Leuven (1959-1961). In 1966 he married to Vira Bacynska, daughter of an ukranian priest in Belgium. On July 20 1980 he was ordained deacon by the late Metropolitan Anatolij (later Metropolitan of Sozopolis). The same hierarch ordained him as priest on September 19 1982. He serves the Parish of tha Archangel Michael in Genk (Belgium).

Following Vira's death, he was tonsured monk on September 26 1989 in South Bound Brook in the USA.   The day after he was promoted as archimandrite. After his election by the Holy Synod presided by the late Metropolitan Mstyslav, he was ordained bishop on October 27 1991 in London for the Ukranian Orthodox Parishes in Western Europe.

The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumencal Patriarchate during its meeting on March 12 1995 under the presidency of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, examined the appeal of His Excellency Constantine Buggan and his fellow ukranian bishops to the Ecumenical Patriarch and unanimously decided to accept them under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Thereafter the Holy and Sacred Synod proceeded to elect Bishop John with the title of Bishop of Parnassos, to serve the pastoral needs of the Ukranian Orthodox living in the diaspora. 

Bishop John of Parnassos continues to reside in Belgium.

Address:
Azalealaan 2 bus 10
3600 Genk

Belgium

Tel. +32.89.38.26.95

Nameday: January 7 (old calendar)

Date of ordination: October 27, 1991