site.btaSimeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Enthroned by Holy Synod

Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Enthroned by Holy Synod

Sofia, May 1 (BTA) - In a statement published on its website on Friday, the Bulgarian Patriarchy announced that Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha will be referred to as king of Bulgaria in all public and private services held in the diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The proposal was put forward by Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv and was voted unanimously by the Holy Synod.

Simeon was born the son of Boris III and Giovanna of Italy. He became tsar on 28 August 1943 on the death of his father but since was only six years old when he ascended the throne, a council of regents was appointed. His family was forced to flee the country by the communist government on September 16 and he returned to Bulgaria on May 25 1996.

Between July 24 2001 and August 17 2005 Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha served as the 48th Bulgarian prime minister. After winning the elections he went on the head the National Movement Simeon II.