Profanarian archimandrite announces departure from BOC due to new patriarch

Archimandrite Nikanor (Mishkoff). Photo: publicorthodoxy.org

Archimandrite Nikanor, the abbot of the monastery in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, did not like the results of the election of the new Patriarch. On his social media, he announced that he would submit a resignation from the BOC.

According to the archimandrite, "everything went according to the KGB manual."

Congratulating the newly elected Patriarch of the Bulgarian Church, Daniel, he emphasized that from now on his patriarch is Bartholomew.

"Tomorrow I am submitting my resignation from the BOC," he wrote.

As the UOJ previously reported, speaking on the "Dneven Red" channel, Archimandrite Nikanor said that "when priests from Mount Athos (Esphigmenou Monastery) came to serve with us, who had already concelebrated with the OCU, we wanted to receive a blessing for their arrival, and the call of the Patriarch was 'to serve together'." That is, continued Archimandrite Nikanor, Patriarch Neophyte "accepted these people in September, shortly before he was permanently hospitalized, and although he could no longer communicate actively, there was immense joy on his face from being with these people. And these people served together with the Ukrainians and recognized the new Ukrainian church. This is Patriarch Neophyte, he was a good and precise Patriarch, the new one should continue this work but use authority among the people."

In the same interview, Nikanor explained why, in his opinion, Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv cannot be the new patriarch of Bulgaria, stating that being a patriarch is not easy because "this position has a profile."

Read also

King of Jordan Donates Land Near the Site of Christ's Baptism to Serbian Church

King Abdullah II of Jordan has offered to gift the Serbian Orthodox Church land near Jesus’s baptism site, a gesture Patriarch Porfirije says will engrave the king’s name in gold in Serbian Church history.

Israel Brings 1,000 U.S. Evangelical Leaders on All-Expenses-Paid Trip to Boost Support

The summit comes as Israel expands outreach to U.S. churches, including a multimillion-dollar digital campaign recently disclosed in a federal filing.

Lexington ROCOR Parish Seeks Support to Purchase and Restore New Church Building

Mission parish seeks donations to acquire a historic Winchester church as a permanent home for Orthodox worship.

HCHC Alumnus Returns to Present Memoir of Alaskan Pilgrimage

Alumnus Anthony Linderman returned to HCHC to share his memoir recounting a spiritually transformative year on Alaska’s Spruce Island.

Antiochian Archdiocese to Host 2026 Winter Sacred Music Institute for Church Musicians in Phoenix

The Winter Sacred Music Institute in Phoenix will gather church musicians for education, worship, and fellowship focused on Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday hymns.

Finnish Orthodox Leader in Ongoing Talks with Security Agency Over Perceived Russian Threats

Finnish Abp. Elia says the Ukraine war has split his Church and prompted ongoing cooperation with national security services to guard against suspected Russian influence.