On January 14, 2025, during its regular session, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC)—Patriarchate of Bulgaria reviewed the letter submitted by Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa, who serves as the locum tenens of the vacant Diocese of Vidin.
According to Article 85, Paragraph 1 of the Statutes of the BOC – Patriarchate of Bulgaria, the Synod approved the following list of bishops – candidates for the upcoming election of the new Metropolitan of Vidin:
- Bishop Sionios of Veliki
- Bishop Gerasimos of Melnik
- Bishop Vissarion of Smolyan
- Bishop Michael of Constantine
- Bishop Pachomios of Branitza
- Bishop Makarios of Glavinitza
- Bishop Isaac of Yelbazhd
- Bishop Meletios of Znepole
According to Article 85 of the Statutes of the BOC, the locum tenens of the vacant Diocese of Vidin, Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa, will send a circular letter containing the list of bishops to all diocesan voters.
Two candidates will be elected for the new Metropolitan of Vidin on February 2, 2025, in Vidin.
The canonical election of the new Metropolitan of Vidin will be held on February 9, 2025, at the Holy Synod’s headquarters in Sofia.
