The Holy Synod determined today the list of bishops for the new Metropolitan of Sliven – Bulgaria

S the blessed synod determined today the list of eligible bishops for the new metropolitan of Sliven. It includes Bishop Sioni of Veliki, Bishop Arsenius of Znepol, Bishop Gerasim of Melny, Bishop Pachomius of Branica, Bishop Makariy of Glavinice and Bishop Isaac of Velbazhda, Metropolitan Cyprian said.

When asked about the absence of bishops Hieroteus and Michael in the list, Metropolitan Cyprian answered that “this is the decision of the Holy Synod and this is the list that was prepared today by the worthy bishops”.

The Bulgarian delegation will not travel to Jerusalem for the Holy Fire

The spokesman of the Holy Synod stated that he assumed that the vicar of the Sliven Diocese – Metropolitan John of Varna and Greater Preslav, would complete the revision processes that are ongoing in the Sliven Diocese.

In addition, because of the situation in Israel, the Holy Synod decided not to travel to Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem this year for the transfer of the Holy Fire to Bulgaria.

This was told to journalists by Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora, who is the spokesman of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate (BOC-BP).

He announced to the media today’s decisions from the meeting of the Holy Synod of the BOC-BP.

Funeral liturgy and memorial service on the occasion of 40 days since the death of Patriarch Neophytus

At its meeting on March 19, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate (BOC-BP) set the dates for holding the canonical election for the Metropolitan of Sliven, it was stated in a message published at the time on the website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.

In it, it was announced that Metropolitan John of Varna and Greater Preslav, deputy of the widowed Sliven diocesan see, was tasked with organizing the diocesan election for a new metropolitan of Sliven on May 19.

The election for a new Metropolitan of Sliven is scheduled for May 26, which is traditionally held in the chapel in the Synodal Palace in Sofia.

On March 12, a protest and counter-protest of diocesan electors, clergy and laity took place in front of the Synodal Palace in Sofia on the occasion of the election of the Metropolitan of Sliven. According to article 89, paragraph 2 of the Statute of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate (BOC-BP), the counting of the diocesan election for Sliven Metropolitan held on February 18, 2024 is final. After a vote, the Holy Synod unanimously decided and assigned Metropolitan John of Varna and Greater Preslav, according to Article 89, paragraph 3 of the Statute of the BOC-BP, to continue to govern the Sliven Diocese as the deputy of the widowed Sliven Diocesan See and to hold a new diocesan election for Sliven metropolitan. This is what the spokesman of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora, told journalists, presenting the decisions of the Synod of March 12 for the election of a new Metropolitan of Sliven.

The Holy Synod unanimously decided to entrust Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliko Preslav with a complete financial and administrative audit of the entire Sliven Diocese, as well as of the property status of the divisions in the Diocese. It also instructs Metropolitan John to do a full check of the diocesan voter lists to see if they meet the requirements of Article 102 and 103, in connection with Article 142 of the BOC-BP Statute, Metropolitan Kyprian announced at the time.

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