Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria reposed in the Lord, national days of mourning, flag is flown at half, procession will proceed, when the new one

May Pat. Neofit’s memory be eternal!

His Holiness Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria reposed in the Lord on March 13, 2024, at the age of 78. The Patriarch had been hospitalized for several months in a hospital in Sofia due to declining health.

The news was announced on the website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. As stated, Patriarch Neophyte fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday night at 22:22 at the Military Medical Academy of Sofia, where he was hospitalized due to multiple organ failure.

“We call upon Orthodox Christians to pray to the Almighty God together with the Holy Orthodox Church for the repose of the soul of our beloved Patriarch in the Kingdom of God”.

The Patriarchate also thanked the leadership of the Military Medical Academy, the doctors and the staff of the Intensive Care Unit for the care and attention given to Patriarch Neophyte.

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Across Bulgaria, the country’s Orthodox churches were open on the morning of March 14 for people to light candles and pray for Neofit. The majority of Bulgarians declare themselves to be adherents of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The Thursday sitting of the National Assembly began with a minute of silence in memory of H.H. Neophyt.

Statements of condolences poured in from politicians after news came of the passing of Bulgarian Patriarch.

“The death of the Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is a huge loss for the Church and the Bulgarian people”, President Rumen Radev said.

Vice President Iliana Iotova: “May there be light on the path of the soul of the Bulgarian Patriarch! I will never forget those warm eyes and his wise words!” 

National days of mourning for Patriarch Neophyte, the deceased leader of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, will be held on Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16 by government decision.

As a rule, on a national day of mourning the Bulgarian flag is flown at half mast at all government institutions. Books of condolences are opened at the Bulgarian diplomatic missions abroad.

On such a day the national news media should cancel any entertaining and other inappropriate programmes, and keep the public updated on the events associated with the mourning. A black ribbon may appear on the TV screen or in print periodicals. Official and secular events, except for those of private nature, should proceed in a way that suits the nationwide mourning or even be cancelled.

By decision of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the body of the deceased patriarch will lie in state at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky in Sofia from 9 a.m. on March 15.

Bulgarian worshippers thronged Sofia’s golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Friday to pay their last respects to Orthodox Christian Patriarch Neophyte.

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has announced that the funeral service for the late Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria will be held on Saturday, March 16, at the St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral.

After the service, a procession will proceed to the Saint Nedelya Cathedral, where the Patriarch will be buried. It is noteworthy that this was his wish, as mentioned in his will.

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His Holiness Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria was born on October 15, 1945 in Sofia. He studied at the Theological Academy of Sofia and further studied in Moscow.

On August 3, 1975, he was tonsured a monk. He was ordained a deacon on August 15, 1975, and a presbyter on March 25, 1976. On November 21, 1977, he received the Offikion of Archimandrite. He served as Protosyncellus of the Metropolis of Sofia from 1981 to 1985.

He was a lecturer and conductor of the Choir of the Academy, President of the Theological Academy, the first Dean of the Theological School of Sofia University, and served as Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod from 1992 to 1994.

On April 3, 1994, he was elected Metropolitan of Dorostol and Cherven. On December 19, 2001, after the eparchy had been divided into two eparchies, he was appointed Metropolitan of the Eparchy of Rousse.

On February 24, 2013, he was elected Metropolitan of Sofia and Patriarch of Bulgaria and was enthroned on the same day.

Pope Francis visits with Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarch Neofit and members of the Holy Synod at the Palace of the Holy Synod in Sofia, Bulgaria, May 5, 2019. Only the second meeting in more than a thousand years between a pope and a Bulgarian Orthodox patriarch. Bulgarian delegations vistit to the Vatican over the past 55 years.

Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria fell asleep in the Lord on March 13, 2024, at the age of 78.

REACTIONS ABROAD

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia conveyed his heartfelt condolences following the passing of Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria.

“I fondly recall our fraternal interactions with Patriarch Neophyte, whose radiant spirit will forever remain in my heart,” the Russian Patriarch stressed in his announcement.

Finally, he wished: “May the compassionate Lord grant His faithful servant rest among the righteous, where there is no pain, sorrow, or sighing, but eternal life.”

The Romanian Patriarch Daniil sent a condolence telegram in connection with the death of the Bulgarian Patriarch Neofit.

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania conveyed his condolences to the locum tenens of the Patriarchate of Bulgaria, Metropolitan John of Varna, on Thursday, March 14, 2024, following the passing of Patriarch Neophytos of Bulgaria on March 13, 2024.

“The late Patriarch exemplified Orthodox faith through humility, patience amidst illness, and genuine love. His paternal affection, wisdom, simplicity, and sincerity deeply resonated with the devout faithful of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

On behalf of the Holy Synod of the Church of Albania, its clergy, and the faithful, we extend heartfelt condolences to the sister Church of Bulgaria.

“Blessed are those who die in the Lord.”

With profound respect and brotherly love in Christ,

Tirana, March 14, 2024

† Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and All Albania”

“Patriarch Neophyte, a soft-spoken theologian who sought to restore the reputation of the Bulgarian Orthodox church hurt by links to businessmen and communist secret police, died. About 80% of the population in the 6.8 million-strong Bulgaria are Orthodox Christians, but the reputation of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church was damaged after a history commission in January 2012 showed that 11 of its 15 bishops collaborated with the former communist-era secret police,” said Reuters.

The Church of Bulgaria should elect a new Patriarch within four (4) months after the death of Patriarch Neophyte.

Metropolitan Ioan of Varna and Veliki Preslav, who was elected the interim head of the Holy Synod, will oversee the organization of the election of a new patriarch within the next four months.

The new Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia will be elected from among nine (9) Metropolitans of the Bulgarian Church.

The election of Patriarch Neophyte successor will take place according to a specific procedure. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has 13 dioceses in Bulgaria and two abroad. The Church Statute regulates the election of the Patriarch and the conditions for his election.

Specifically, the Patriarch of Bulgaria and the Metropolitan of Sofia must not be younger than 50 years of age, must have served as a Metropolitan for at least five years, and must be distinguished by Orthodox faith and strict adherence to the rules of the Church.

The Patriarch is elected by the Patriarchal Ecclesiastical Council.