The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has unanimously elected Metropolitan Grigory of Vratsa as its temporary vice-president. In addition to this role, Metropolitan Grigory will also oversee the Metropolis Sofia until the election of a new Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia.
This decision comes after Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv announced his decision not to participate in the succession procedure for the Throne of the Patriarchate of Bulgaria. In a special address to the clergy and laity, Metropolitan Nikolai expressed concerns about media intrigues surrounding the succession process following the burial of the late Patriarch. As a result, he declared that he does not wish to be considered as a candidate for the patriarchal throne by the Holy Synod.
