 At the 17th Sobor, in 1985 in Winnipeg, Bishop John was appointed as Bishop of Edmonton and the Western Diocese, following the reposes of Archbishop Boris, and Metropolitan Andrew.In 1990 he was elevated to Archbishop.Following the repose of Metropolitan Wasyly in 2005, Archbishop John became the acting Primate, and at the 21st Sobor in Winnipeg in 2006 was elected Primate, and Metropolitan (and was approved by Constantinople on November 20, 2005).