Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bishop Arseniy of Znepol elected as the new Metropolitan of Sliven

Photo: BTA

Bishop Arseniy of Znepol was elected as the new Metropolitan of Sliven. He received 7 votes by the Metropolitans of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, who is Secretary General of the Holy Synod, received 5 votes. The results were announced by the temporary head of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa.

Bishop Arseniy of Znepol (Atanas Dimitrov Lazarov) was born on November 18, 1986, in Stara Zagora. He completed his primary education in the village of Osetenovo, Pavel Banya Municipality. He was tonsured a monk by Metropolitan Nikolay of Plovdiv on August 11, 2007.

On June 30, the Holy Synod will convene a Patriarchal Electoral Church Council to elect a new Patriarch. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to arrive in Sofia for the election.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Yellow code alert for intense rainfall across the country on Wednesday

Overnight, cumulonimbus clouds will develop over the western half of the country, bringing intense short-term rain showers in some areas. Hail is also possible. By Wednesday morning, the rainfall is expected to reach the eastern regions as well. The..

published on 5/6/25 6:30 PM

Vice President Iotova congratulates the Bulgarian military contingent in KFOR on the occasion of May 6

Vice President Iliana Iotova congratulated the Bulgarian military contingent participating in NATO’s peacekeeping force in Kosovo (KFOR) on the occasion of the Day of Bravery and the Bulgarian Army. She attended an official ceremony held in Pristina...

published on 5/6/25 5:11 PM
The Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos

Bulgarian delegation is in Mount Athos for the feast of the Zograf Monastery St. George the Great Martyr

On Saint George's Day, the newly elected hegumen of the Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos, Father Gavriil, was elevated from hieromonk to archimandrite.  The announcement was made by Secretary General of the Holy Synod Bishop Gerasim of Melnik,..

published on 5/6/25 1:42 PM