A new Metropolitan of Sliven elected in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

The newly elected Metropolitan of Sliven, Arseniy. Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg

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

Middle East Council of Churches Condemns Freezing of Jerusalem Patriarchate’s Accounts

Council calls Israeli measures “an assault on Christians and all Palestinians”

25 Years Since the Rebirth of Christ the Savior Cathedral

Patriarch Kirill leads anniversary Liturgy marking restoration of Moscow’s most iconic church

Texas Attorney General Targets Abortion Pill Distributors

Paxton issues cease-and-desist letters to groups accused of illegally mailing abortion drugs into state.

UOC Hierarch Condemns Ukrainian Authorities Over 'Demonic Desecration'

Metropolitan of Zaporozhye denounces actions at Kyiv Caves Lavra and warns of sacrilege disguised as culture.

New Course Will Examine Orthodox Teaching on Abortion

Fr. Adam Roberts to Lead Five-Week Online Discussion Series Beginning August 24

Verkhovna Rada Debates Whether There Are Enough Votes to Repeal Law Banning the UOC

MP Yulia Sirko warns that repealing the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church could lead to revolution.