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Archimandrite Nicanor Barred From Clerical Service for Additional 15 Days
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has extended Archimandrite Nicanor’s prohibition from clerical service as his ecclesiastical case remains pending.
SOFIA, BULGARIA — The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has extended the suspension of Archimandrite Nicanor, who previously concelebrated with clergy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
By order of Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel dated Aug. 10, the Sofia Metropolitanate imposed an additional 15-day prohibition on the Archimandrite’s exercise of clerical functions. The suspension, described in the order as “ARGOS” — a complete ban on clerical service — is scheduled to begin Aug. 13.
The disciplinary measure is connected to ecclesiastical criminal case No. 2/2026, which is pending before the Sofia Diocesan Court. The proceedings were initiated under provisions of the Statute of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and its regulations governing judicial proceedings in church courts.
The order cites provisions authorizing disciplinary action while the ecclesiastical case remains under consideration. No further details about the proceedings or the specific allegations against Archimandrite Nicanor were included in the announcement from the Sofia Metropolitanate.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Bulgarian Church suspended Archimandrite Nicanor after an OCU concelebration.
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