Metropolitan Sotirios (Trambas) of Korea directed a letter to the faithful of Korea in which he expressed his wish to retire for a deserved rest, citing the "Orthodoxy in Korea" site.
In his letter to the Korean faithful the Metropolitan expressed his gratitude to all who helped him to fulfill his hierarchical responsibilities during 33 years of service to the Church of Korea.
Recently Metropolitan Sotirios requested the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople to release him from his duties as Metropolitan of Korea. The leader of the Korean Church stated that due to his health problems and recent surgeries, he cannot performs his archpastoral duties and asks to be allowed to remain in retirement at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Gapyeong in obedience to the female Monastery's superior. There Metropolitan Sotirios will help the nuns to translate liturgical texts.
By decision of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Holy Synod, Bishop Amvrossy of Zelon will replace Metropolitan Sotirios.