Bulgarian Clergy Rally Behind Patr. Daniel Amid Dispute With Suspended Archimandrite

SOFIA— The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has publicly reaffirmed its support for Patr. Daniel following an escalating dispute with Archimandrite Nicanor (Mishkov), whose recent public criticism of the Patriarch and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has prompted both a formal response from the Holy Synod and a declaration of solidarity from the clergy of the Sofia Metropolis.

During a regular clergy assembly held on July 30 at the Holy Metropolis of Sofia, priests of the Bulgarian capital unanimously signed a declaration expressing their full support for Patr. Daniel and denouncing what they described as Archimandrite Nicanor's "uncanonical conduct," public insults, and political rhetoric.

The gathering, chaired by Patr. Daniel, had originally been convened to discuss pastoral ministry and the challenges surrounding the Sacrament of Confession. However, participants also addressed the controversy surrounding Nicanor, abbot of the Monastery of the Holy Unmercenary Saints Cosmas and Damian at Tsarnogor, whose recent public statements have sharply criticized the Patriarch and church leadership.

In their declaration, the clergy accused Nikanor of replacing "monastic silence, obedience, and repentance" with political activism and social media campaigns that have scandalized the faithful and undermined ecclesiastical unity. They rejected his characterization of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as "a parody of a Church, a lackey of Russian imperialism," calling the accusation "absurd" and affirming that Patr. Daniel has shown only concern for the Church rather than allegiance to any political ideology.

The declaration states:

The situation becomes even more absurd when Archimandrite Nicanor claims that he was forcibly incorporated into the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in 2004. Yet he remained within it for more than twenty years, during which he was apparently "forced" to become both a hieromonk and an archimandrite, and presumably "forced" to receive his salary from the Sofia Metropolis. During this same period, he repeatedly concelebrated wherever and with whomever he wished, including abroad and even with non-canonical clergy, without the blessing of his diocesan bishop—a clear violation of Church discipline.

He has also invited Ukrainian children to the monastery under his care as though it were his personal property and, in our view, has used them as a human shield in presenting himself as a victim of political persecution. He has now gone so far as to call for an "ecclesiastical-national struggle" aimed at creating a "true people's Church," removing the canonical Patriarch, encouraging political disobedience, and urging people to stop attending churches. He labels the Bulgarian Orthodox Church an "enemy of its own people" simply because of the election of Patriarch Daniel, whom he deliberately refers to by his secular name.

The clergy warned that such rhetoric risks fostering schism and confusion among the faithful.

The declaration also called on the competent ecclesiastical authorities to thoroughly examine Nikanor's public statements and actions and, if violations are confirmed through canonical judicial procedures, to impose an appropriate ecclesiastical penalty. The clergy requested that their declaration be included in the ongoing church disciplinary proceedings against him.

The following day, July 31, the Holy Synod issued its own statement strongly condemning Nicanor's public remarks. Referring to the archimandrite as a cleric currently under the canonical penalty of argos — a temporary prohibition from priestly ministry — the Synod denounced what it described as his "repeated insulting and slanderous statements" against both the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the institution of the Patriarch.

The Synod said Nicanor's repeated public attacks had caused scandal among believers and rejected any attempt to portray the Church as a political institution or the suspended cleric as a political victim.

The statement continues:

We further declare that any attack on the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church–Bulgarian Patriarchate or any incitement to schism is unacceptable and is strictly condemned according to the Statute of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church–Bulgarian Patriarchate and the Holy Canons. On the contrary, the Holy Church prays for the repentance, reconciliation, and unity of all her children within the one Body of Christ.

We call upon the clergy and the Orthodox faithful not to yield to provocations that foster hostility and division. During the approaching Dormition Fast, let us demonstrate spiritual sobriety and intensify our prayers to God and to the Mother of God for mercy and gracious assistance for all of us, for our entire people, and for a world burdened by numerous conflicts, wars, and suffering, praying for peace, repentance, and salvation.

On his personal social media, Archimandrite Nicanor shared a petition asking Patr. Daniel to "grant me what I asked for in two letters" – that being his release from the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

In another recent statement posted to social media, Archimandrite Nicanor stated:

"They lied to us and stole our state. They lied to us and stole our church. But we will get them back with quiet determination! We will succeed, because God is with us, and Moscow is with them!"

Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Daniel had invited Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Bulgaria for major anniversary celebrations.