site.btaFormer Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe Simeon Dies

Former Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe Simeon Dies

Sofia, April 16 (BTA) - The former metropolitan of Western and Central Europe, Simeon, passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, at an old age, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church's Holy Synod reported on Saturday.

His remains will be returned to Bulgaria as he wished to be buried in the Rila Monastery.

Simeon's secular name is Hristo Dimitrov Kostadinov. He was born on September 17, 1926 in the coastal city of Varna. He was a teacher and a monk at the Rila Monastery. He has held various religious offices in Bulgaria, the US, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe.