As decreed by the Holy Synod on March 19, a Patriarchal Electoral Church Council will convene on June 30 to elect a new Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The decision follows the repose of Patriarch Neophyte on March 13.

On June 2, all dioceses must conduct elections for delegates to the electoral council.

On June 20, the Holy Synod will convene to determine which metropolitans satisfy the requirements outlined in the church’s statute to form a shortlist of three candidates for the position of Patriarch.

A candidate is required to have attained the age of 50 and have accumulated a minimum of five years of metropolitan experience as the primary criteria.

Nine of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church bishops currently meet these criteria: Metropolitan Joseph of the USA, Canada, and Australia; Metropolitan Gregory of Veliko Tarnovo; Metropolitan Ignatie of Pleven; Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech; Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv; ⁠Metropolitan John of Varna and Great Preslav; Metropolitan Naum of Ruse; Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa; and Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin.

Metropolitan Grigore of Vratsa was elected locum tenens of the patriarchal throne and was tasked with overseeing Sofia’s diocese until the new patriarch’s election.

Patriarch Neophyte

His Beatitude Patriarch Neophyte of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church reposed in the Lord on March 13 at the age of 78, after 11 years of patriarchal ministry.

Considered a tolerant and calm leader, Patriarch Neophyte showed himself to be a zealous defender of Christian values and a supporter of introducing the subject of Religion in Bulgarian schools.

The Orthodox Churches of Bulgaria and Romania have a harmonious relationship founded upon constructive dialogue and cooperative efforts.

Photography courtesy of the Bulgarian Patriarchate

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