Bulgaria Welcomes New Bishops John of Branica and Vasily of Dragovitsia

 

Bulgarian Orthodox Church & OCP News Service – 08/07/2025

Sofia – Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has seen the addition of two new bishops to its hierarchy in early July, with Archimandrite John elevated to Bishop of Branica on July 1st, and Archimandrite Vasily consecrated Bishop of Dragovitsia on July 6th. Both ordinations were marked by solemn Divine Liturgies presided over by His Holiness Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil, gathering numerous hierarchs, clergy, and faithful from Bulgaria and sister Orthodox Churches.

Bishop John of Branica Ordained on Feast of St. John of Rila

On July 1, the feast day of Saint John of Rila, the patron saint of the Bulgarian people, Archimandrite John, former protosingel of the Sofia Metropolis, was consecrated Bishop of Branica. The ceremony took place in the sacred confines of the Rila Holy Monastery. The solemn hierarchical liturgy was concelebrated by Patriarch Daniil, along with metropolitans and bishops from the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and clergy representatives from the Local Orthodox Churches of Serbia, Greece, and Georgia (Bulgarian Patriarchate, July 1, 2025).

Before the Liturgy, Archimandrite John pronounced his episcopal vows and confessed the Orthodox faith by reading the Symbol of Faith. The spiritual joy of the occasion was amplified by the antiphonally sung hymns performed by the St. Naum of Ohrid choir and a choir from Iasi, Romania. During the Divine Liturgy, the laying on of hands by the Patriarch and concelebrating hierarchs invoked the Holy Spirit upon Bishop John, followed by the acclamation of “Worthy!” from the packed Cathedral. Patriarch Daniil successively presented the new bishop with the vestments and symbols of the episcopal ministry.

In his address, Patriarch Daniil emphasized the profound responsibility of the episcopal ministry, calling it a “great” and “extremely heavy” task. He urged Bishop John to rely on God’s mercy, approach his ministry with humility and obedience, and defend the truth fearlessly, citing Saints Ambrose of Milan and John Chrysostom as examples. The Patriarch reminded him that a bishop is “not an administrator or a chief like secular leaders, but is above all the head of the Eucharistic assembly and a teacher in faith,” emphasizing pastoral love and care for God’s people. Bishop John, in his response, vowed to embody Christ’s words, “the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep,” acknowledging his unworthiness but relying on Christ’s promise and seeking prayerful support (Bulgarian Patriarchate, July 1, 2025).

The day’s solemnities continued with a prayer of thanksgiving marking the one-year anniversary of Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil’s election and enthronement, with speeches delivered by Metropolitan Pachomius of Vidin and Bishop Isaac of Velbughdi, and a congratulatory address from Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, read by Nikola Petkov. Bishop John will now serve as the first vicar of the Metropolitan of Sofia.

Bishop Vasily of Dragovitsia Ordained in Patriarchal Cathedral

Just five days later, on July 6, Archimandrite Vasily (Savov) was ordained bishop with the title of Dragovitsia at the Patriarchal Cathedral “St. Alexander Nevsky” in Sofia. The Holy Synod had decided on his episcopal ordination on June 26, also appointing him as the future abbot of the Holy Monastery of Troyan (Bulgarian Patriarchate, July 6, 2025).

Bishop Vasily’s ordination also gathered hundreds of Orthodox Christians. Concelebrating with Patriarch Daniil were a host of metropolitans and bishops of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, alongside representatives from the Romanian and Serbian Orthodox Churches. Before the ordination, Archimandrite Vasily pledged to uphold the canons of the holy apostles and ecumenical councils, maintain church peace, and diligently teach his entrusted flock.

During the Divine Liturgy, the solemn rite of ordination unfolded, with the laying on of hands by the Patriarch and hierarchs, the invocation of the Holy Spirit, and the communal cry of “Worthy!” as Bishop Vasily received the episcopal vestments and symbols.

Patriarch Daniil presented Bishop Vasily with his staff and delivered a speech, assuring him of the Holy Synod’s prayers and fraternal support in his new ministry, whether as abbot of Troyan Monastery or in any other role. The Patriarch underscored that the episcopal ministry is both a “high recognition and the highest possible responsibility before God and His people,” urging Bishop Vasily to be guided by what is good and beneficial for his flock and to never forget the solemnity of his calling. Bishop Vasily, in turn, acknowledged the challenges of the current era, stating his hope that the “Prince of Peace” would grant him strength to foster unity and peace through love and persistence, striving to be a peacemaker (Bulgarian Patriarchate, July 6, 2025).

The solemn service concluded with a long anniversary for Patriarch Daniil, the Holy Synod, and the newly ordained Bishop Vasily. Vice President Iliyana Yotova and Nikola Petkov, acting director of the Religious Denominations Directorate, were also in attendance, with a congratulatory address from Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov being read.

Source:

OCP News Service