Bulgarian Metropolitan of Plovdiv claims that he will not become Patriarch

Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv. Photo: screenshot from BTA video

In Bulgaria, Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv did not answer whether he had submitted a statement refusing to participate in the elections for the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which is slated for June 30, reports the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency.

"I will not be the Patriarch. This I can say, but you don't even have an idea who will be the Patriarch," he told journalists during the solemn ceremony of welcoming the new Metropolitan of Sliven, Arseny, in Burgas.

As reported by the UOUJ, Professor Ivan Zhelev revealed that Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv, who concelebrated with the OCU, did not withdraw his candidacy from the elections for the position of Patriarch of the Bulgarian Church.

Read also

UOC releases updated “Liturgical Guidelines” app for iOS

The new update includes liturgical guidelines for 2026.

United States to increase number of Christian hospitals in Nigeria

American healthcare support is linked to the measures taken by Nigerian authorities to protect the Christian population from violence.

UOC priest describes church seizure in Checheliivka

The dean of the Oleksandriia Eparchy said that representatives of the OCU forcibly opened a church where UOC parishioners had not been allowed to pray for three years.

Chernihiv Jews equate vandalism against menorah to arson of TRC

The Jews of Chernihiv are convinced that the vandals who toppled the menorah acted on Russia’s orders.

Mukachevo Metropolitan hands over aid to AFU and children's boarding home

With the blessing of Metropolitan Theodore, charitable events were held in the eparchy.

OCU takes over UOC church in the village of Checheliivka

Raiders from the OCU, after cutting the locks, broke into the Intercession Church, which was sealed until the court's ruling.