New abbot of Zografou Monastery inaugurated on Mt Athos

Abbot Gabriel. Photo: Министерски съвет

On May 11, 2025, the ceremony of the enthronement of the new abbot, Archimandrite Gabriel (Karatotev), took place at the Zografou Monastery on Mount Athos, reports the Athos website of the UOJ.

The enthronement ceremony was held at the Cathedral of St. George the Great Martyr, in the presence of abbots and representatives of the Athos monasteries, who gathered to offer prayerful support for the new superior.

A special significance was added to the event by the participation of an official Bulgarian delegation headed by Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev. Ministers of agriculture, economy, industry, and youth affairs from Bulgaria also visited Mount Athos.

From the Greek side, the event was attended by Konstantinos Gioulekas, Deputy Minister of the Interior for Macedonia and Thrace.

Abbot Gabriel was elected by the brotherhood of the monastery on April 12, 2025, and since that day, he has been responsible for the spiritual leadership of the Bulgarian monastery on Athos.

"It was an honor for the Bulgarian state delegation to be present and congratulate the new abbot of the Bulgarian Zografou Monastery. This historical event is of great significance, as the monastery is one of the symbols of Bulgarian spirituality," noted Minister Georgiev at the end of the ceremony.

After the enthronement, a festive meal was held, during which Abbot Gabriel warmly thanked all those who honored the monastery on such an important day in its life.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a new abbot of the Zografou Monastery had been elected on Mount Athos.

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