Bulgarian cleric who served with OCU attempts to influence Patriarch election, media

Archimandrite Nikanor, a cleric of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Photo: 24 Chasa

Bulgarian media published a recording of a conversation involving Archimandrite Nikanor (Hristo Mishkov), in which he sought Vatican support for promoting Metropolitan Naum of Ruse to the patriarchal throne of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, reports 24 Chasa.

The conversation with a representative of the Roman Curia took place in March 2024. Archimandrite Nikanor described himself as a “strategist at headquarters” and explained what needed to be done to secure Naum’s election. According to him, the Metropolitan "best fits the Vatican’s policy" and is close to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. "I am merely a strategist at headquarters. I say what needs to happen," the cleric said.

Archimandrite Nikanor proposed using the influence of Bulgarian politicians Boyko Borisov and Delyan Peevski. “The factors here are Borisov and Peevski,” he said. Under his plan, the Vatican would signal to Borisov that it wanted Naum to become Patriarch, and Borisov would then influence Metropolitan Nikolay of Plovdiv. The cleric also suggested giving the Metropolitan gifts from the Pope. The Vatican representative reacted: “Oh my God, Peevski. Dear God!”

During the conversation, Archimandrite Nikanor also made sharp remarks about other Bulgarian hierarchs. Referring to Metropolitan Grigoriy of Vratsa, he said: “This man will do nothing – neither with the Vatican, nor with the Ukrainians, nor with anyone. He is inert,” and then made allegations against him. At the same time, 24 Chasa notes that the politicians mentioned had no involvement in Nikanor’s initiative, while Metropolitan Naum may have been unaware of the attempts to promote his candidacy.

Archimandrite Nikanor’s plan failed: on June 20, 2024, Metropolitan Naum received no votes in the election of candidates for the patriarchal throne. Earlier, Nikanor had concelebrated with representatives of the OCU. His subsequent public attacks on Patriarch Daniil were condemned by clergy and laypeople of the Bulgarian Diocese in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The cleric denies having participated in the published conversation, but his interlocutor confirmed to 24 Chasa that the conversation took place.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a Bulgarian theologian commented on the suspension of the cleric who served together with the OCU.

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