Holy Synod: The new Patriarch of Bulgaria to be elected on June 30

The Holy Synod has set June 30, 2024 to convene a Patriarchal Electoral Church Council to elect a new Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Church’s governing body said on March 19.

The Dioceses should on June 2, 2024 hold elections for delegates to the Patriarchal Electoral Council in the Dioceses, the Holy Synod said.

A special meeting of the Holy Synod will be convened on June 20, 2024, during which three diocesan metropolitans who meet the requirements outlined in Article 40 of the statute of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.will be shortlisted as candidates for the post of Patriarch of Bulgaria.

Additionally, the Holy Synod has decided to set the dates for the canonical election of the new Metropolitan of Sliven. Metropolitan Yoan of Varna and Veliki Preslav has been entrusted with organizing the diocesan election for the new metropolitan on May 19.

The election of the new Metroploitan of Sliven was scheduled for May 26.

It is recalled that the Church of Bulgaria must elect a new Patriarch within four months after the death of Patriarch Neophyte, following a certain procedure.

The Bulgarian Patriarch, Neophyte, died of organ failure late on Wednesday, March 13, at the age of 78.

Bulgaria bid farewell to late Patriarch Neophyte

The funeral of the late Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte

Liturgical procession escorted Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria to his final resting place

The election of Patriarch Neophyte’s successor will take place in accordance with the procedure, outlined in the Church’s Statute.

According to the Statute, the Patriarch of Bulgaria and the Metropolitan of Sofia must not be younger than 50 years of age, must have served as a Metropolitan for at least five years, and must be distinguished by Orthodox faith and strict observance of the rules of the Church.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has 13 dioceses in Bulgaria and two abroad.

After the passing of the Patriarch, who also holds the position of Metropolitan of Sofia, and Metropolitan Ioanikiy of Sliven, the Synod currently comprises 13 members.

Out of these 13, nine are eligible candidates for the position of Patriarch, while four are not eligible: three of them – Metropolitan Antony of Western and Central Europe, Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokopi, and Metropolitan Kyprian of Stara Zagora – have not reached the age of 50, while Metropolitan Jacob of Dorostol has not completed five years in his current Metropolitan position.

The nine Metropolitans eligible for the election of the new Patriarch of Bulgaria are:

1. Metropolitan Josef of USA, Canada, and Australia

2. Metropolitan Gregory of Veliko Turnovo

3. Metropolitan Ignatius of Pleven

4. Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech

5. Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv

6. Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliki Preslav

7. Metropolitan Naum of Rousse (Cherven)

8. Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa

9. Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin