Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria Enters Eternal Rest
OCP News Service – 14/03/2024
Sofia – Bulgaria: His Holiness Neophyte, Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia, entered eternal rest on March 13, 2024, at 10:22 pm. According to the official statement, His Holiness had been receiving treatment at the Military Medical Academy (VMA-Sofia) due to multiple organ failure. He had been hospitalized since November 2023.
His Holiness Neophyte – Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia was enthroned as the patriarch of Bulgaria after the demise of Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria on February 24,2013.
Pat. Neofit was born on October 15, 1945, in Sofia. He studied at the Theological Academy in Sofia and undertook further studies in Moscow.
On August 3, 1975, he was tonsured as a monk. He was ordained a hierodeacon on August 15, 1975, and a hieromonk on March 25, 1976.
On November 21, 1977, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. He served as chief secretary of the Metropolis of Sofia from 1981 to 1985. On December 8, 1985, he was consecrated Titular Bishop of Levski.
He was a lecturer and in charge of the Academy’s Choir, president of the Theological Academy, the first dean of the re-established Theological School of Sofia University, and also served as the secretary general of the Holy Synod, from 1992 to 1994.
On April 3, 1994, he was elected Metropolitan of Dorostol and Cherven.
On December 19, 2001, after the division of the Metropolis of Dorostol and Cherven into the Metropolises of Dorostol and Rousse, he was named Metropolitan of Rousse.
On February 24, 2013, he was elected Metropolitan of Sofia and Patriarch of Bulgaria and was enthroned on the same day.
Source:
OCP News Service with OrthoChristian
