The Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, is greatly saddened to announce the death on 25 December 2022/7 January 2023, the feast of the Nativity of Christ, of one of the oldest members of the clergy of the St. Petersburg Metropolia, the rector of the St. Nicholas-Holy Epiphany Naval Cathedral, Archpriest Bogdan Soiko. He was 85 years old.

Fr. Bogdan was born on 25 August 1938 in the Rivne Oblast of the Ukrainian SSR into a family that had for generations served as Orthodox clergy. In 1960, he graduated from the Stavropol Theological Seminary, which was closed in that same year as part of an anti-Church campaign by the government. In 1964 he graduated from the St. Petersburg (then Leningrad) Theological Academy. He was ordained a deacon in that same year. From 1969 until 2012, he taught at the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary and the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. He earned his PhD (Candidate’s degree) and taught at the rank of professor. He was widely recognized as an inspiring homilist and accomplished teacher. In 1981 he was ordained a priest. He served in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration in the Northern Capital. He also served as patriarchal dean of parishes in Finland from 1981 to 1991, and from 1982 he was the rector of the Holy Trinity Cathedral at the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra. In 1987 he was appointed the rector of the St. Nicholas-Holy Epiphany Naval Cathedral.

Fr. Bogdan supported in prayer the Imperial Family and its many faithful friends and supporters. For his service to the Holy Church and the nation, the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, awarded him the Imperial Order of St. Anna Second Class (2012) and First Class (2013).

Archpriest Bogdan Soiko departed this life after having served the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, having given a sermon and offering words of encouragement to the young clergy and parishioners.

The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, her son and heir, The Grand Duke George of Russia, and his spouse, Princess Victoria Romanovna, are deeply saddened by the passing of Archpriest Bogdan Soiko, and extend their condolences to His Eminence Metropolitan Barsanophius of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, to the other clergy of the Metropolia, and to all Fr. Bogdan’s spiritual children.

May the Lord remember his newly reposed servant Archpriest Bogdan in His Kingdom!