On June 30, 2024, in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, elections were held for a new Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church — the successor to the late Patriarch Neophytos, who passed away on March 13.
In the voting, which was held in two rounds, the participants of the Patriarchal Election Ecclesiastical Council gave the majority of votes (69) to Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin.
After the official announcement of the results of the vote, the newly elected Patriarch Daniel, together with the hierarchs of the Bulgarian Church, went to the Patriarchal Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, where the gathered faithful greeted him with loud cries of «Axios!», «Worthy!».
The rite of enthronement of Patriarch-elect Daniel to the Bulgarian Patriarchal Throne began in the church. Representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches, Bulgarian statesmen and many believers gathered to celebrate the enthronement.
The ceremony of enthronement was attended by representatives of the local Orthodox Churches, Bulgarian statesmen and many believers.
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Newly elected Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria (in the world Atanas Trendafilov Nikolov) was born on March 2, 1972 in the town of Smolyan.
He received his primary and secondary education in his hometown, served in the army. In 1996, he began studying English philology at the University of St. John's University in St. John's University, where he was a graduate of the University of St. John's University. In 1997, he was accepted as a novice at the Hajidimov Monastery of St. George the Victorious, and the following year he joined the Faculty of Theology of this university.
In 1997, he was accepted as a novice in the Hajidimov Monastery of St. George the Victorious under the spiritual guidance of Metropolitan Nathanael of Nevrokopsk. On July 8, 1999 he was tonsured into monasticism by Metropolitan Nathanael, and the next day he was ordained a hierodeacon.
In 2002 he graduated from the Faculty of Theology at the University of St. Kliment Ohridski. In 2004 he was assigned to the monastery of Our Lady of the Nativity in Rozhena (Diocese of Nevrokopa), in November of the same year he was ordained a hieromonk. In 2006 he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. According to the decision of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on January 20, 2008 he was consecrated bishop with the title «Dragovitian» and appointed vicar of the Metropolitan of Nevrokop. In 2010, at the request of Metropolitan Joseph of the United States, Canada and Australia, he was appointed his vicar. On February 4, 2018, he was elected Metropolitan of Vidin. On February 4, 2018, he was elected Metropolitan of Vidin. EVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
