site.btaNew Patriarch of Bulgarian Orthodox Church

Metropolitan Daniil of Vidin was elected Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia by the delegates of the Patriarchal Electoral Church Council. The new Bulgarian Patriarch was elected on a ballot between Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa and Metropolitan Daniil of Vidin. 69 delegates voted for Metropolitan Daniil of Vidin, 66 for Metropolitan Grigory of Vratsa, and there were three invalid ballots.

Before the enthronement of the new Patriarch in the Patriarchal Cathedral "St. Alexander Nevsky" there were first comments on his election. 

"The faithful need first of all when we talk about our Church, the unity of the Church, the unity of Orthodoxy, they need leadership for the spiritual rise of the Bulgarian people," President Rumen Radev told journalists. The head of State wished the new Bulgarian Patriarch good health, longevity and prosperous days at the head of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. Later in his address the head of State pointed out that the election of the Patriarch comes at a time of trials and turmoil for all humanity. "That is why we turn our gaze to Patriarch Daniil with the hope that he will defend the unity and autocephaly of our Church and the good of the Fatherland. To raise the faith that our Orthodox Church will remain the guardian of life, the pillar of peace and the pillar of its historic mission to be the moral support of the Bulgarian people, to lead them to spiritual ascent, to give them hope and guidance in difficult days," Radev said. 

"The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has always made honourable choices," Parliament Chair Raya Nazaryan said. "I wish His Holiness the new Patriarch good health, longevity and wisdom to lead the affairs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church," she said. “I believe that the unity and well-being of the Bulgarian people will always be present in his prayers,” she added.

"The faithful need a Patriarch who will be a unifier, as was His Holiness Neophyte, God forgive him," caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said. “The state should not interfere in the work of the church, although in Eastern Orthodoxy it is a bit different. A certain rapprochement has been characteristic there throughout history. I am rather of the opinion that the state should not interfere in church affairs," Glavchev said.

According to Vice President Iliana Iotova, all three candidates were very worthy. “We have elected an honourable Bulgarian Patriarch, I would like to wish him good luck," she said. Iotova said she knew him from common initiatives, and that he is a man who speaks with great wisdom. Listening to his words would be beneficial, he is a very intelligent person, Iotova noted. She wished the new Bulgarian Patriarch to be Bulgaria’s "true spiritual leader." According to her, his first words should be about the unification of the Bulgarian people. "I am sure that from his mouth it will sound different, away from the falseness of politicians," Iotova said. 

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov commented on the election of Daniil in a Facebook post. "We have elected a new Patriarch - the former Metropolitan Daniil of Vidin. May God multiply his days and instruct his actions for the good of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian people and Orthodox Christians," he wrote.

Velichie also wrote a comment on Facebook. "The most worthy of the worthy! By God's will a shepherd, father, benefactor and unifier of the Bulgarian people! God grant him health, peace and forgiveness! Many summers!" the greeting said.