Holy Metropolis of Korea

The Holy Metropolis of Korea was established by an Act of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on 20 April 2004, within the boundaries of what had previously been the Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Korea, which was under the jurisdiction of the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand.

In 1995, the Orthodox Church in Korea was officially recognized by the Korean authorities as a legal entity under the name “Foundation for the Maintenance and Preservation of the Property of the Orthodox Church in Korea,” to which all of the real property of the Orthodox Church in Korea was transferred.

The Metropolis encompasses both South and North Korea, as well as Japan. It is governed according to its Statute, approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on 6 June 2005.

Administration:
Seat of the Holy Metropolis: Seoul
Postal Address:
His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea
His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea
43 Mapo-daero 18-gil, Mapo-gu
Seoul, Korea
Tel.(00822)364-7005
Fax: (00822) 365-2698
Ε-mail: azographos@yahoo.com καί orthodox@orthodox.or.kr
Web site: www.orthodox.or.kr

General Episcopal Vicar:
Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Daniel Na, M.Div..

Metropolitan Council:
President: His Eminence the Metropolitan.
Members: All clergy and two representatives from each parish.

Executive Committee of the Metropolitan Council:
His Eminence the Metropolitan, the General Archdiocesan Vicar, and the priests responsible for the Ministry Departments.

Ecclesiastical Court:
President: His Eminence the Metropolitan.
Members: Protopresbyter Daniel Na and Oeconomos Alexander Han.

Secretariat:
Secretary: Deaconess Theodoti Lee, M.A.
Personal Secretary to the Metropolitan: Hierodeacon Johan Park, B.Th.
Tel. (00822) 362-6371, Fax: (00822) 365-2698.

English–Greek Secretariat::
Director: Ms. Athanasia Kontogiannakopoulou, B.A. in Greek and English Philology.

Archdiocesan Vicar of Busan–Ulsan:
Oeconomos Alexander Han.

Administrative and Financial Department:
Director: Protopresbyter Daniel Na.

Pastoral Department:
Director: Protopresbyter Antonios Ou.

Educational Department, Catechetical – Youth:
Director: Oeconomos Alexander Han.

Missionary Department:
Director: Oeconomos Paul Kwon.

Philanthropic Department:
Director: Presbyter Jeremias Cho.

Orthodox Committee for Schools of North and South Korea:
Oeconomos Stephanos Huang.

Committee for the Pastoral Care of Workers in the Shipyards of Korea and Japan:
Directors: Oeconomos Alexander Han and Oeconomos Paul Kwon.

Committee for Cooperation with Orthodox Faithful of North Korea:
Director: Protopresbyter Antonios Ou.

Orthodox Cemetery Committee:
Director: The Presiding Priest of the Church of Saint Nicholas, Seoul.

Committee for Inter-Church Relations:
Director: Protopresbyter Daniel Na. Assistant: Hierodeacon Johan Park, B.Th.

Committee for Orthodox Witness in Institutions of Higher Education:
His Eminence the Metropolitan. Assistant: Deacon Antonios Lim, M.A.

Committee for the Composition of Ecclesiastical Hymns in the Korean Language:
Deacon Antonios Lim

Publishing Organization:
The Holy Metropolis of Korea operates its own publishing house, “Korean Orthodox Editions.”
Director: Deacon Antonios Lim.
The Holy Metropolis publishes the weekly newsletter “JOOBO” (Joobo).

Translation Division:
Hierodeacon Johan Park, B.Th., Nun Agathi Paek, and Mr. Grigorios Park, M.Div.

Central Bookstore:
“Book Café Philokalia” in Seoul.
Director: Hierodeacon Deacon Antonios Lim, and
“Book Café Logos” in Incheon.

Library of the Holy Metropolis:
Director: Ms. Athanasia Kontogiannakopoulou.

Byzantine Icon Workshop:
Director: Iconographer Ms. Tatiana So, B.F.A. from the Athens and Seoul Schools of Fine Arts.

Ecclesiastical Wood-Carving Workshop:
Director: Mr. Vasileios Youn, B.F.A. from the Seoul School of Fine Arts.

“Foundation for the Preservation and Safeguarding of the Property of the Orthodox Church in Korea”
A legal entity recognized by the Korean Authorities and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

“Orthodox Philanthropic Organization”
Operates according to a Charter approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate (June 6, 2005).
President: His Eminence the Metropolitan.
1st Vice-President: The General Archdiocesan Vicar.
2nd Vice-President: The Priest responsible for the Philanthropic Department.
Secretary: Presbytera Olympia Kim, M.S.W.

“Center for the Care of the Elderly”
in Chuncheon. Director:
Presbyter Jeremias Cho.
Tel. (008233) 244-4583. Fax: 244-4593.

1. Cathedral Church of Saint Nicholas, Seoul.
Address:
43 Mapo-daero 18-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Tel.: (00822) 362-7005. Fax: 392-7322.
Presiding Priest: His Eminence the Metropolitan.
Archdeacon Isaiah Kim, Deacon Antonios Lim, and Deacon Johan Park.
Chapel: Dormition of the Theotokos.

2. Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, Busan.
Address:
7 Junggu-ro 97-gil, Jung-gu, Busan, Korea.
Tel.: (008251) 462-3819. Fax: 466-3746.
Presiding Priest: Oeconomos Alexander Han.
Home tel: (008251) 465-5271.
E-mail: han6004@netian.com
Homepage: http://orthodoxpusan.hihome.com.
Chapels: St. George and St. Stylianos.

3. Church of Saint Paul, Incheon.
Address:
62 Seoksan-ro 111-gil, Namdong-gu, Inchon, Korea.
Tel.: (008232) 426-9553. Fax: 265-2759.
Presiding Priest: Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Daniel Na.
Home tel: (008232) 511-1808.
E-mail: fatherna@hana.net
Homepage: www.orthodoxincheon.or.kr
Chapels: St. Nicholas, St. Demetrios, and St. John Chrysostom.

4. Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Jeonju.
Address:
6-5 Hamdae-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Korea.
Tel.: (008263) 222-1095.
Presiding Priest: Presbyter Hilarion Jong.
E-mail: ockjunju@hanmail.net
Chapels: St. Euthymios, St. Nektarios, and Archangel Michael.

5.Church of Saint Andrew, Barang-li.
Address:
189-12, Barang-gil, Dong-myon, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea.
Tel.: (008233) 481-5740.
Presiding Priest: Protopresbyter Antonios Ou.
E-mail: woo0749@naver.com

6. Church of Saint Boris, Chuncheon.
Address:
52-3 Shinsunggyom-ro, Seo-myon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Korea.
Presiding Priest: Presbyter Jeremias Cho.
Tel. (008233) 244-4581.
E-mail: jeremy60@hanmail.net

7. Church of Saint Dionysios of Aegina, Ulsan.
Address:
38 Munjae 7-gil, Dong-gu, Ulsan, Korea.
Tel. (008252) 233-1092, Fax. 234-2092.
Presiding Priest: Oeconomos Paul Kwon.
E-mail: ockpaul@gmail.com

1. Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior, Gapyeong.
Address:
157-227 Noksugegok-ro, Sang-myon, Gapyong-gun, Gyounggi-do, Korea.
Tel. (008231) 584-2082. Fax: 585.2278.
E-mail: agathi@hanmail.net
Person in Charge: Nun Agathe Paek. Nuns: 2.
The spiritual father of the Holy Monastery is His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia.
Chapels: Holy Apostles and Nativity of the Holy Forerunner.

The Monastery of the Transfiguration is the seat of the Foundation of the Orthodox Church of Korea, recognized by the Korean Authorities. The Holy Monastery houses the sacred relics of twenty-four Holy Hierarchs, Martyrs, and Saints, whose Synaxis is celebrated solemnly at the Monastery as patron saints of the Orthodox Church of Korea, on October 3rd.

2. Holy Monastery of Saint Andrew the First-Called, Barang-li.
Address:
120 Shinjeon-gil, Guei-myon, Wanju-gun, Jeonlabuk-do, Korea.
Tel. (008233) 481-5740.
Two novice monks.
Chapels: St. Catherine of Sinai and St. Stylianos.

At the Orthodox Cemetery of Yongmi-Ri, the Church of the Resurrection is in operation. The church celebrates its feast on Thomas Sunday (Antipascha). Director: The Presiding Priest of the Church of Saint Nicholas, Seoul.

1. St. Maximos the Greek at the Missionary Center of Seoul, and St. George in Busan.
In the above Chapels, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated in rotation in the Slavonic language by Presbyter Romanos Kavchak, a clergyman of the Holy Metropolis of Korea, for the service of Slavophone Orthodox Christians residing in or passing through Korea.

2. Chapel of Saint Anna of the “Orthodox Faith” Schools.
Address:
120 Sinjeon-gil, Gui-myeon, Wanju-Gun, Jeollabuk-do, Korea.
Tel.: (008263) 222-2170.
Parish Priest: Oeconomos Stephanos Huang.
Home tel.: (008263) 224-3750.
E-mail: stephanos1201@yahoo.co.kr.

The Word of God is preached continually by His Eminence the Metropolitan and by all the clergy of the Holy Metropolis.

In all parishes, Catechetical Schools operate at all levels, from preschool age through the final year of high school. There are Associations of Orthodox Youth, which participate in the union “Korean Syndesmos.” This union is one of the founding members of “SYNDESMOS – the World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth.” Adult catechesis is also offered for those wishing to become members of the Orthodox Church. Bible study circles for youth and adults are held regularly.

At the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Busan, the Nursery School “Annunciation of the Theotokos” operates under the direction of Presbytera Patapia Youn, B.Th.

Upon invitation, lectures on the Orthodox Church are delivered at universities throughout the country by His Eminence the Metropolitan and the Korean clergy. Many students also frequently visit the Cathedral Church of Saint Nicholas in Seoul, where lectures are given on the history of the Orthodox Church, the Orthodox Faith and Worship, ecclesiastical art, etc.

The Holy Metropolis organizes annually winter and summer camps (English Camp) for Orthodox and non-Orthodox children and youth of Korea, offering free English language learning programs.

The Missionary Center of Seoul was inaugurated on August 31, 1979. It includes lecture halls and spaces for other gatherings. It houses the bookstore Book Café Philokalia and an exhibition space displaying casts of 152 works from the Archaeological Museum of Athens, donated by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

At the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Gapyeong, the “Orthodox Asian Educational and Conference Center” is under construction, which will also house the Orthodox Theological School of the Holy Metropolis of Korea.

Greek Orthodox Community (being organized).

Korea is not an Orthodox nor even a Christian country. Christianity in its Roman Catholic and Protestant forms appeared in Korea through organized missions in the 18th century, although Roman Catholic missionaries had begun a small missionary effort in Korea from the previous century.

The presence of Orthodoxy in Korea has a history of one hundred and ten years. The work of Orthodox witness on the Korean peninsula began in 1900 through the Russian Orthodox Church, and from 1955 to the present has been continued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.[…]

In 1950, as is well known, the Korean War began (1950–1953). The Orthodox Korean faithful, like most of their compatriots, suffered enormously. Most fled to Busan and the southern regions of the country to escape. The Orthodox flock was thus scattered. Significant spiritual and material assistance during this difficult period was provided by the Greek Expeditionary Corps in Korea (1950–1955), which participated in the United Nations peacekeeping force, and especially by the military chaplains accompanying the Corps for its liturgical needs. The first military chaplain to come into contact with the Orthodox Koreans was Archimandrite Chariton Symeonidis (later Metropolitan of Polyanis and Kilkis). Subsequently, from 1953 to 1954, Archimandrite Andreas Chalkiopoulos rendered great assistance to the Orthodox flock. On his initiative, the ruined church of Saint Nicholas in Seoul was restored through a collection he organized among the Greek soldiers. Father Andreas took care, before departing from Korea, to leave a Korean priest at the church of Saint Nicholas. The Orthodox Community proposed as candidate Boris Moon (Moom Yi-Han, 1910–1977), who was ordained Deacon and Presbyter in Japan by Archbishop Irenaeus of Tokyo, the nearest Orthodox bishop in the region. Due to the war and the hostile relations between Korea and Japan at that time, the departure of any Korean from the country — and especially travel to Japan — was forbidden. Father Andreas Chalkiopoulos managed, with the help of the American military, to obtain the necessary permission for Boris Moon to travel to Japan for his ordination. Disguised as a Black American soldier, Boris Moon was included in the unit of a group of American marines heading to Japan. After his ordination he returned to Korea in the same manner and served the Church with dedication until his death (14/9/1977) […]

The events of the Second World War, the hardships suffered by the Korean people under the harsh Japanese occupation (1910–1945), and the political upheavals on the Korean peninsula affected the relations of the Orthodox Community of Seoul with the Church of Japan. The same occurred with the Moscow Patriarchate. After the Korean War (1950–1953), because South Koreans were hostile toward Russia due to its alliance with North Korea, Orthodox Koreans wanted no relationship with the Russian Church. This resulted in the Orthodox Community of Seoul becoming cut off from the rest of the Orthodox Church — that is, without effectively belonging to any ecclesiastical jurisdiction.

This very serious ecclesiological problem was resolved as follows: On December 25, 1955, after the Christmas Divine Liturgy, the General Assembly of the Orthodox Community of Saint Nicholas in Seoul unanimously decided to request its placement under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Ecumenical Patriarchate accepted the request, and from that time to the present the Orthodox Church in Korea has been an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne.

By decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in 1956 the pastoral care of the Church in Korea was entrusted first to the Archdiocese of Australia, and shortly thereafter to the Archdiocese of North and South America, with Archbishop of America Michael (Konstantinidis) serving as Exarch of Korea. In 1962, Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos (Coucouzis) made a pastoral visit to Korea and offered substantial support to the Orthodox flock.

In 1967, the church property in the Chong Dong area was sold, and with the proceeds a large plot of land was purchased in the Mapo-gu area, and construction of the current cathedral of Saint Nicholas began.

In 1969, Archimandrite Evgenios Papayannis (Papas) of the Archdiocese of America was appointed presiding priest of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Seoul, to assist the ailing Father Boris Moon. He served in Korea until 1973.

On January 8, 1970, the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand was established by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the newly elected Metropolitan of New Zealand Dionysios (Psachas) was also appointed Exarch of Korea.

On December 1, 1975, Archimandrite Sotirios Trambas arrived in Korea on secondment from the Archdiocese of Athens [later Bishop of Zilon (1993–2004), then Metropolitan of Korea (2004–2008), and currently Metropolitan of Pisidia], responding to a relevant request from the Orthodox Community of Seoul. His Eminence Metropolitan of New Zealand and Exarch of Korea Dionysios, in close cooperation with Father Sotirios — first as Archimandrite and later as auxiliary Bishop of Zilon — together accomplished truly remarkable missionary work, unprecedented in scope and quality. This work was not limited to Korea alone, but from 1980 onwards extended to the countries of Southeast Asia (India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand), regions under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan of New Zealand.

Over the past thirty-three years (1975–2008), thanks to the tireless care and the admirable and exemplary great missionary zeal of Father Sotirios, the Church in Korea developed, became organized, and put down firm roots in Korean soil. Today the Holy Metropolis of Korea has seven organized parishes in South Korea (in the cities of Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Jeonju, Barang-li, Chuncheon, and Ulsan) and one in North Korea (Pyongyang), thirteen chapels, one women’s monastery, a missionary center, a publishing house under the name “Korean Orthodox Editions” with many notable publications in Korean, two bookstores (Book Café “Philokalia” and Book Café “Logos”), the website orthodox.or.kr, a summer camp, a nursery school called “Annunciation of the Theotokos,” a Center for the Care of the Elderly, a privately owned Orthodox cemetery, and the construction of the Asian Orthodox Educational and Conference Center is being prepared, which will also house the first Orthodox Theological School in East Asia. The Holy Metropolis of Korea is a member of the local council of Churches, the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), and participates in theological dialogues. His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has visited Korea three times (8–13/4/1995, 26/2–2/3/2000, and …–28/6/2005). During these three pastoral visits of His All-Holiness — of paramount importance for the life of the local Church, and which reflect the great pastoral concern of the Mother Church of Constantinople for the spread of Orthodox witness in Korea — foundation stones were laid and churches and buildings were inaugurated. Furthermore, through the intercession of His All-Holiness during His first visit in 1995, the “Foundation for the Preservation and Safeguarding of the Property of the Orthodox Church in Korea” was recognized by the Korean State as a Legal Entity, through which the Orthodox Church in Korea acquired legal standing. According to the approved charter, the said Foundation and its property are under the supervision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Korean State.[…]