Bulgarian Orthodox Church to Elect New Patriarch in February

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has announced that it will hold a council, comprised of the members of the hierarchy and representatives of the metropolises, stavropeghial monastic communities, and seminaries, this coming February to elect its next patriarch. Of the current hierarchy of the Sofia Patriarchate two members are ineligible for election, whilst two others have already stated that they will not allow themselves to be candidates for election. More here. H/t to Byzantine Texas for posting this.

Varna Metropolitan Appointed Locum Tenens of Sofia Patriarchate

In light of the recent repose of Patriarch Maxim (Minkov) of Sofia the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has appointed Metropolitan Cyril (Kovachev) of Varna as interim chairman of the Holy Synod and locum tenens of the Sofia Patriarchate until the election of a new patriarch. More in Bulgarian here.

Bulgarian Orthodox Primate Marks 41 Years as Patriarch

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church yesterday marked the 41st anniversary of the election of Patriarch Maxim (Minkov) to the Sofia Patriarchate with celebratory services in Sofia's Cathedral of St. Alexander of the Neva concelebrated by the Church's hierarchs in Bulgaria. More in Bulgarian here.

Bulgarian Orthodox Representation Church to be Built Near Bucharest

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has acquired property near the Romanian capital in the city of Snagov for the construction of a church and cultural center for the members of the Bulgarian Diaspora in Bucharest. The process is underway to have the future church canonically established as a representation of the Sofia Patriarchate to the Romanian Orthodox Church. More (in Bulgarian) here.

Bulgarian Orthodox Church Reaffirms Ban on Clergy Running for Office

The Sofia Patriarchate has sent a reminder to the clergy of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church throughout Bulgaria reminding them of the Church's ban on clergy running in elections or actively being involved in political campaigns. The reminder was issued after the central administration discovered campaign fliers featuring candidates serving as Bulgarian Orthodox clergy. More (in Greek) here.

Bulgaria Celebrates 58th Anniversary of Patriarchate's Restoration

This morning Patriarch Maxim (Minkov) of Sofia led services in Sofia's Cathedral of St. Alexander of the Neva to celebrate the new style feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and the 58th anniversary of the restoration of the patriarchate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The festal services was concelebrated by Metropolitan Neofit (Dimitrov) of Ruse and the patriarchal auxiliary bishops. More (in Bulgarian) here.