A new Metropolitan of Sliven elected in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church
The newly elected Metropolitan of Sliven, Arseniy. Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has elected a new ruling hierarch of the widowed Sliven Eparchy. As reported by the official website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, the elections took place on May 26, 2024, in the Synodal Chapel of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsar Boris-Mikhail in Sofia.
The Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of the Bulgarian Church, Metropolitan Grigory of Vratsa, opened the voting, which took place in the altar of the synodal chapel on the holy throne.
"The metropolitans took the voting ballots and an empty envelope, entered the altar, kissed the Holy Gospel and the Holy Cross, and wrote down their choice on the altar throne," the statement said.
A total of 12 ballots were submitted by the attending members of the Holy Synod. 7 votes were cast by the metropolitans for the candidacy of Bishop Arseniy of Znepol. The second candidate, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, received 5 votes.
Bishop Arseniy was supported by Metropolitans Grigory of Veliko Tarnovo, Ignatius of Pleven, Nicholas of Plovdiv, Antony of Western and Central Europe, Naum of Rousse, Cyprian of Stara Zagora, and Jacob of Dorostol.
As reported by the UOJ, representatives of the Bulgarian Church co-served with "hierarchs" of the OCU in Istanbul. Metropolitans Nicholas of Plovdiv, Cyprian of Stara Zagora, Jacob of Dorostol. Bishops Zion of Velichka and Vissarion of Smolyan also participated in the service.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".