site.btaIn Memoriam: Archimandrite Ambrose, Abbot of Zograf Monastery, Passes Away

The hegumen of the Zograf Monastery, Archimandrite Ambrose, has passed away after a brief illness, the Bulgarian Patriarchate's website said on Monday.

Ambrose completed a five-year course at the Sofia Theological Seminary near Cherepish. In 1973, he joined the Bachkovo Monastery as a neophyte, and four years later, he took monastic vows. In 1981, he moved to Mount Athos, and since 1997, he had been the hegumen of the Zograf Monastery.

During his tenure, and with his blessing, the Zograf Monastery expanded its cultural and educational activities, publishing hundreds of Orthodox books, hagiographies, patristic literature, and works on contemporary issues, the Bulgarian Patriarchate noted. They added that thanks to the hard work of Ambrose and the monastery's brotherhood, part of the monastery damaged by a severe fire was restored, a new building for pilgrims was constructed, and a new library was established.

President Rumen Radev expressed condolences on the passing of Archimandrite Ambrose. A statement from the president's press secretariat said, "Under his leadership, the holy monastery became a stronghold of Orthodox monasticism, Bulgarian spirituality, and cultural-historical heritage, reinforcing the centuries-old ties that unite Mount Athos and our people."

In 2019, Radev awarded Ambrose the Order of the Balkan Range, First Class, for his contributions to strengthening Orthodox clergy in Mount Athos and developing Bulgarian-Greek relations.

The passing of the hegumen of the Zograf Monastery, Archimandrite Ambrose, is a significant loss for Bulgarian spirituality and for all who value and respect the spiritual heritage of Mount Athos, the Council of Ministers wrote on their Facebook page.

A memorial service will be performed by the hierarchs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on January 28 at the St Nedelya Metropolitan Cathedral, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said in their statement.