site.btaGiginski Monastery Abbot Comes Down over New Bulgarian Patriarch's Assessment of Events in Ukraine

Archimandrite Nicanor, the Abbot of Giginski Monastery, submitted his resignation to Patriarch Daniil at the Patriarchal Cathedral St. Alexander Nevsky on Monday. Speaking to the press, he said that his decision stemmed from fundamental disagreements with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC)'s stance on its role among Orthodox churches and its moral perspective on the situation in Ukraine.

Daniil is known for his stance against recognizing an independent Ukrainian church and against putting all the blame on Russia for the war in Ukraine.

While Nicanor was speaking to the press, the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil celebrated his first divine liturgy as chief hierarch of BOC.

"First of all, I would like to congratulate the new Bulgarian Patriarch and everyone who can assist him in becoming the unifier and spiritual leader that the figure of the Bulgarian Patriarch is meant to be. He and I have long expressed different positions on the place of the BOC in the family of Orthodox churches, on the first among equals, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and on Russian aggression in Ukraine. Since he was elected my diocesan hierarch, I felt it was only fitting to bring the letter, along with a gift from the Holy Mountain, to personally present it to the new Patriarch and tell him, "Your Holiness, conscience and ethics oblige me to tender my resignation," Nikanor said.

Daniil has rejected the resignation of Nicanor, who expressed a desire to retire as a monk at a Mount Athos monastery. Following the conclusion of the liturgy, the Patriarch returned the resignation and expressed a commitment to collaborate with the Archimandrite. Additionally, Daniil has invited Nicanor for a discussion, though the details of the meeting have yet to be determined.

Also on Monday, the Russian Church put out a message by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in which he "cordially congratulates Daniil on his election and elevation to the Bulgarian Patriarchal Throne". "The Russian Orthodox Church today sincerely rejoices with the beloved Sister Church, at the helm of which stands a godly hierarch known for his piety, his firm adherence to the sacred canonical order and his readiness for sacrificial work in the name of strengthening Church unity," the statement goes.