New Patriarch of Bulgaria to be elected on June 30

The Holy Synod decided to convene a Patriarchal Electoral Church Council on June 30, 2024, for the purpose of electing the new Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

To facilitate the process, the Diocesan Metropolitans will be tasked with organizing and conducting elections for delegates to the Patriarchal Electoral Council in their respective dioceses on June 2, 2024, which coincides with the 5th Sunday after Easter, known as the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman.

Furthermore, a special meeting of the Holy Synod will be convened on June 20, 2024. During this meeting, three diocesan metropolitans who meet the requirements outlined in Article 40 will be nominated as candidates for the patriarchal throne.

Additionally, the Holy Synod has decided to set the dates for the canonical election of the new Metropolitan of Sliven. Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliki Preslav has been entrusted with organizing the diocesan election for the new metropolitan on May 19.

It is recalled that the Church of Bulgaria must elect a new Patriarch within four months after the death of Patriarch Neophyte, following a certain procedure.