The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada (Serbian: Српска православна епархија канадска, Srpska pravoslavna eparhija kanadska) is a diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. As of 18 May 2024, with the elevation of Bishop Mitrofan Kodić to Archbishop of Toronto and Metropolitan of Canada his Canadian diocese is now the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of Canada, the first in North America.
The Serbian Orthodox Diocese in the United States and Canada was established in 1921. In 1963, it was reorganized into three sections and in 1983, a fourth diocese was created specifically for the Canadian churches.[3] This followed a period of growth in Serb immigrants to Canada following World War II, as well as a desire in decades prior for the Serbian Orthodox clergy to reach their parishioners more easily.[4]
The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada was founded on May 26, 1983 at the behest of Sava Vuković, the then-bishop of Eastern-America and Canada. On May 16, 1984 Georgije Đokić was elected as its first bishop.[4] The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada covers 33 parishes and missionary parishes.[4]
On May 21, 2009 the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church held a meeting for the restructuring of the existing Dioceses in North and South America, based on the recommendation of the Episcopal Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It was restructured in the following manner:[5]
The Metropolitanate of Libertyville-Chicago, with its See at St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville
The Diocese of New Gracanica-Midwestern America, with its see at the Monastery of New Gračanica
The Diocese of Eastern America, with its see in New Rochelle
^"Diocese of Canada at SerbOrth.org." Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America. Retrieved on February 27, 2011. "Episcopal Residence: Holy Transfiguration Serbian Orthodox Monastery, 7470 McNiven Rd., RR #3, Campbellville, Ontario L0P 1B0"