site.btaHoly Fire Pilgrimage Cancelled due to Situation in Israel

Bulgaria will not send a delegation to Jerusalem to receive the Holy Fire ahead of Orthodox Easter, which this year falls on May 5. The annual pilgrimage of Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) officials for the centuries-old ceremony, which draws believers from all over the world, has been cancelled by decision of the BOC leadership due to the situation in Israel, Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora told journalists on Monday.

Cyprian, who is also BOC Spokesman, announced a list of six bishops eligible to bid for the position of Metropolitan of Sliven. The election will be held on May 26. By tradition, it should take place at the Synodal Palace in Sofia.