At its session on April 2, 2026, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church examined the appeals submitted in connection with the disciplinary decision issued on February 11, 2026, concerning Fr. Ivan Yankov Ivanov.
The case is about the imposition of deposition (defrocking) from clerical office without excommunication from the Church. After reviewing the submitted appeals, the Holy Synod found them to be without merit.
In accordance with Article 188(1) of the Statute of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod decided to refer the appeals to the competent ecclesiastical authorities, namely the Metropolitan of Sliven and the Diocesan Council of Sliven, acting as the court of first instance.
The decision reaffirms the established canonical procedures and ensures that the case will be further examined by the appropriate ecclesiastical judicial bodies.
