Pēteris Bērziņš was born on 16 March 1956 in Cooma, Australia, of Latvian Orthodox refugees, Leonid (1921–1996) and Margarita (b. 1926) Bērziņš, who were forced to leave their homeland during the Second World War. He grew up in Cooma and graduated with a philological degree from the Australian National University. He was fluent in ancient Greek and Latin.[1]
From 1992 to 1997, he served as father-confessor at Gethsemane Convent in the Holy Land.[1]
In 1994, he was awarded the gold pectoral cross by Archbishop Laurus (Škurla).
From 2002 to 2005, he served again as father-confessor at Gethsemane Convent in the Holy Land.[1]
On 5 September 2005, during the Celebrations of the 75th Anniversary of Holy Trinity Monastery he was elevated to the rank of hegumen by Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla).[2]
From 2005 to 2008, he ministered to Ss. Sergius and German of Valaam Community of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America.[1]
From May 7 to 20, 2008, the Council of Bishops of the ROCOR designated him as candidate for the South America diocese. On May 7/20, 2008, Council of Bishops of the ROCOR decreed to send the curriculum vitae of Hegumen John (Bērziņš ) along with a corresponding appeal to Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia with the request to confirm his candidacy for episcopal consecration. Upon the confirmation of his candidacy by the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, to determine the time and place of his consecration.[3]
After consulting with the members of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia confirmed the selection of Hegumen John on June 19.[3]