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Even if it is true that in the East the bishops were chosen among monks, it sometime was simply a formality.
For example the Ecumenical Patriarch Maximus III was elected whan he was still a lay-man: he became monk and the day after he received the kirotonia (consecration).
And there are lots of other examples in the history of Costantinopolean Church.

I think my friend and brother, David, makes an excellent point, though the disastrous prescription of which he speaks has not been such a likelihood for EC Churches since our monastic orders are, on the whole, more akin to Latin religious orders than the historic, strict, Orthodox model.

As well, in the diaspora generally, a very significant number of EC monks have functioned in pastoral roles throughout their entire priestly careers, as a consequence of the often scarce numbers of 'secular' clergy. The Priestly Necrology of the Melkite Church in the US is replete with the names of Basilian Salvatorian, Chouerite, and Aleppine monks who founded and pastored the majority of our parishes. Our Church in the US would never have survived the three-quarters of a century before it became an exarchate had it not been for them.

Many years,

Neil

Bishop Gerald noted that at his age (72), it would not be reasonable for him to assume that see.

when it takes two years to fill the role, putting someone in for a similar length is not conducive e toleadingthchurch.

hawk

Pity about that. If we keep choosing often, we'll eventually get it right.

I'm surprised. After meeting Bishop Gerald, I'd have guessed him to be a good four years or so younger than that.

Many years,

Neil

Metropolitan Judson was seventy, but looked twenty years younger.

Quite true, thanks for pointing out the distinction. If a Bishop came from an EC 'Athonite' style monastery, my point would be apropos, but I suspect that is quite unlikely to ever occur - regardless of the methodology used to elect or appoint a Bishop!

The Ukrainians have been picking their Patriarch from among Studite ranks since at least Patriarch Miroslav Ivan.

I know very little about our new Metropolitan. Here are the few things that I know. It seems he was or is a disciple of the late Bishop Andrew Pataki. He is a Fransiscan. He has no beard. He suppressed or at least discouraged HRM and the boot camp for Byzantines.

God gives us bishops that we deserve and/or need. It is up to us to discern just what that means.

Don't know the code, what's HRM? Thanks!

Holy Resurrection Monastery, now in Wisconsin under the Omophorion of His Grace, Bishop John Michael (Botean) of the Romanian Greek Catholic Eparchy of Canton (OH). It was the only truly Eastern monastery in the Ruthenian Church, and a constant thorn in the side of those who wanted Byzantine-lite liturgy and spirituality.

Stuart gave you the correct information.

Here is a recent post about bishops from Abbot Tryphon's blog, The Morning Offering:

http://morningoffering.blogspot.com/2012/01/bishops-click-on-photo-to-enlarge.html#comment-form

All Merciful Savior Monastery on Vashon Island in Washington state is a wonderful place. Abbot Tryphon is an old friend.

Thank tou, this certainly helps clarify things.

If this is God's doing based on what we deserve, then Lord have mercy.

And there you should have stopped.

But you continued anyways.

He sent Resurrection on Long Island Fr. Jack Custer reversing Bishop Andrew's treatment of the parish.

Was a Franciscan.

Very important that...

HRM left his omophor.

Sometimes it is better to remain silent when all we have are a few facts and a lot of speculation.