Michael (Donskoff) of Geneva

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His Grace, the Right Reverend Michael (Donskoff) of Geneva is the Bishop of Geneva and Western Europe in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. He was appointed ruling bishop of this diocese by the Council of Bishops in 2006.

Life

Simeon Vasilievich Donskoff was born on March 29, 1943, in Paris, France to the family of Don Cossack Vasiliy Semenovich Donskoff. He received his education in France and completed the 10-year Russian school of A. M. Osorgina where he studied the Law of God, literature, Russian language, and history. Between 1965 and 1966 he completed his military service, where he served in the medical corp. In 1966 he received the Diplôme de Moniteur des Colonies de Vacances, which allowed him to become an instructor in Orthodox youth camps, directing youth camps in France and Austria. In 1994 and 1995 he also directed youth camps in Russia. At the same time he worked in hospitals and reanimation clinics in Paris.

In 1979 he was tonsured reader by Abp. Anthony (Bartoshevich). In 1980, he was ordained sub-deacon. In 1981, he was ordained deacon by Archbishop Anthony and in 1991 he was ordained a priest. On Bright Friday of 1996, he was tonsured a monk by Metr. Vitaly and on Thomas Sunday he was elevated to the rank of heguman.

On the feast of Ss Peter and Paul that same year he was consecrated bishop of Toronto, vicar for the administration of the Montreal and Canada diocese.

At the Council of Bishops in may 2006, he was transferred to the Geneva and Western European Diocese.

Succession box:
Michael (Donskoff) of Geneva
Preceded by:
Kyrill (Yonchev)
Bishop of Toronto
(ROCOR)

1996-2002
Succeeded by:
see dissolved
Preceded by:
Mitrophan (Znosko-Borovsky)
Bishop of Boston (ROCOR)
2002-2006
Succeeded by:
Preceded by:
Ambrose (Cantacuzène)
Bishop of Geneva and Western Europe
(ROCOR)

2006-present
Succeeded by:
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