Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov)

Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) (1945-2024)

Neophyte may be spelt Neophytus, Neophytos, Neofit.

Early life of Simeon Nikolov Dimitrov

On 15 October, 1945, Simeon Nikolov Dimitrov was born in Sofia, Bulgaria.

He was born into a family of workers, who were non-partisan and highly religious. Thus, he was raised as an Orthodox Christian in the bosom of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Simeon completed his primary and secondary education in Sofia.

Higher education

In the autumn of 1959, Simeon N Dimitrov was admitted as a student at the Sofia Orthodox Theological Seminary, which at that time was located in the Holy Dormition Cherepish Monastery. He graduated from the seminary in 1965.

Holy Dormition Cherepish Monastery

Further studies

From September, 1967, Simeon was a student at the Faculty of Theology of the Sofia University (now called “Saint Kliment Ohridski University”) in Sofia. He graduated in 1971.

From the autumn of 1971, he followed a graduate course of theological specialisation in the Department of Church Singing of the Moscow Theological Academy at Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra, Zagorsk (Sergiev Posad), near Moscow, Russia.

In 1973, he graduated from the Academy with the degree Candidate of Theology for his thesis : “The Moscow Synodal Direction in Russian Church Singing and Its Meaning”.

Simultaneously, he graduated from the Department of Church Singing at the Moscow Theological Academy. Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov) of Moscow and All Russia awarded him the candidate badge "The Golden Tuning Fork", 1st Degree, of the Church Singing Department of the Academy.

Moscow Theological Academy

Monastic tonsure, 1975

On 3 August, 1975, at the Troyan Dormition Monastery in Lovech Province, Simeon Nikolov Dimitrov was tonsured to be a monk by Patriarch Maxim (Minkov) of Bulgaria. He was given the name Neophyte.

Troyan Monastery

Diaconal ordination, 1976

In 1976, Monk Neophyte (Dimitrov) was ordained by Patriarch Maxim (Minkov) to the Holy Diaconate at the Saint Nedelya Temple (Saint Kyriaki) in Sofia.

Saint Nedelya (Kyriaki) Temple, Sofia

Diaconal service

Hierodeacon Neophyte (Dimitrov) was assigned to serve as conductor of the ecclesiastical choir in Sofia, the "Sofia Priest Choir".

In 1977, Hierodeacon Neophyte was assigned to serve as lecturer in Orthodox Christian Church Singing at the Sofia Theological Academy.

Presbyteral ordination, 1977

On 21 November, 1977, Hierodeacon Neophyte (Dimitrov) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at the Saint Nedelya Temple, "Sveta Nedelya" (Saint Kyriaki) by Patriarch Maxim (Minkov).

Presbyteral service

Hieromonk Neophyte (Dimitrov) was immediately elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

On 1 January, 1981, Archimandrite Neophyte was assigned to serve as Protosyngellos (chancellor) of the Sofia Eparchy.

Episcopal ordination, 1985

In 1985, Archimandrite Neophyte (Dimitrov) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate at the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia.

Episcopal service

On 8 December 1985, at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky, Bishop Neophyte (Dimitrov) was assigned to serve as Titular Bishop of Levki and Second Vicar-Bishop of the Sofia Eparchy.

Bishop Neophyte (Dimitrov) was assigned to continue with his responsibilities as chancellor.

In 1989, Bishop Neophyte (Dimitrov) was assigned to serve as Rector of the Sofia Theological Academy, which at that time was still at the Cherepish Monastery.

During this time, between 1983 and 1990, the file of the Security Service about him included an entry which describe him as being :

 Very religious, devoted to the Church, Bishop Neophyte is formed as a
 conservative young prelate, who supports keeping the old traditions of the 
 Orthodox Church.  Particularly active events in expanding religious activities 
 started after the socialist countries began processes of reconstruction and 
 democratisation (especially after the USSR held a celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church).  He began openly 
 to advocate for full independence and non-interference of the state in religious 
 activities and Church government.

On 26 July, 1991, Bishop Neophyte was elected and assigned to serve as Dean of the restored Faculty of Theology at Saint Kliment Ohridski Sofia University.

Faculty of Theology, Saint Kliment Ohridski Sofia University

In January, 1992, Vladyka Neophyte was assigned to serve as Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod and Chairman of the Church Trusteeship of Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. With this assignment, he had to leave his responsibility as Dean of the Faculty of Theology. In his new responsibility, Bishop Neophyte had made significant contributions both during the time of the schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and in the negotiations for the recovery of the Synodal Building which had been occupied by the communists.

Metropolitan of Dorostol and Cherven, 1994

On 27 March, 1994, Bishop Neophyte (Dimitrov) was elected to be Metropolitan of Dorostol and Cherven.

On 3 April, 1994, he was enthroned in the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral of the Diocese of Dorostol and Cherven, in Silistria.

Metropolitan Neophyte

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Silistria

Metropolitan of Ruse (Rousse), 2001

In 2001, when the Fifth Ecclesiastical and National Council decided to split the Dorostol-Cherven Diocese into the Ruse Diocese and the Dorostol Diocese, Metropolitan Neophyte became Metropolitan of Ruse.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ruse (Rousse)

In 2012, Metropolitan Neophyte suffered from a heart illness which required a major surgery. He recovered after the surgery, but thereafter it was necessary that he be more careful about his health condition.

After the repose of Patriarch Maxim (Minkov) on 10 November, 2012, Metropolitan Neophyte was nominated to succeed him by one of 12 bishops present at an election by secret ballot for deputy chairman of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

On 24 February, 2013, at the patriarchal Electoral National Church Assembly in Sofia, Metropolitan Neophyte of Rousse was elected to become the new Patriarch of Bulgaria, and Metropolitan of Sofia.

Patriarch of Bulgaria, 2013

On 24 February, 2013, in the afternoon, Metropolitan Neophyte (Dimitrov) was enthroned by the bishops of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky in Sofia. The manner of enthronement in the Church of Bulgaria is unique in that the enthronement takes place very soon after the election. This is followed somewhat later by a “Te Deum” Service of Thanksgiving.

Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia

Patriarchal service

On Sunday, 10 March, 2013, Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) served for the first time as patriarch at the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Saint Nedelya. He was assisted by other hierarchs, priests, and deacons of the Church of Bulgaria.

As Primate of the Church of Bulgaria, the title of the Patriarch is : His Holiness, Patriarch of Bulgaria, Metropolitan of Sofia.

Fraternal visit to the Moscow Patriarchate, 2013

On 25 July, 2013, Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) made his first fraternal visitation to the Patriarchate of Moscow (in the course of several other such customary visits following the enthronement). The formal meeting between the patriarchs took place at the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the Danilov Monastery.

Danilov Monastery

Synodal Building and Patriarchal Residence

At the meeting, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk (Chairman of the Department of External Church Relations (DECR) of the Moscow Patriarchate) participated with Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev). With Patriarch Neophyte were Metropolitan Gavriil (Dinev) of Lovchan ; Bishop Naum (Dimitrov) of Stobia (Rector of the Metochion of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Moscow) ; Archimandrite Teoktist (Dimitrov) (Chancellor of the Bulgarian Patriarchate), and T R Atanasov. In the usual manner, there were kind words expressed to one another in the context of various historical recollections regarding the relationship between the 2 Churches. Each recalled the past struggles under the Ottomans and the communists. There was strong emphasis on the importance of maintaining fraternal unity, not only between the 2 Churches, but also amongst all the Orthodox Churches. Each recognised the importance of the presence in each Church of a metochion (representation) of the other Church, which facilitates both communication and co-operation. Also of importance was the fact that there is easy access for pilgrims from each Church to the holy sites of the other.

On this particular occasion, the importance of increasing the number of exchange students in either direction was stressed. There were comments about the similarities and differences in the programmes of religious education provided in the schools (or associated with them), and also about the importance of training missionaries.

They each stressed the central importance of having opportunities for serving the Divine Liturgy together, and how their mutual unity is nourished and strengthened through this.

Patriarch Neophyte and Patriarch Kirill, 2013

Patriarch Neophyte and Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) at the Department of External Church Relations

Fraternal visit to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 2013

On Friday, 20 September, 2013, Patriarch Bartholomew I (Archontonis) welcomed Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) of Sophia and all Bulgaria to the Phanar (the headquarters of the Patriarchate) in Istanbul, Turkey.

Patriarchal headquarters, Saint George Cathedral, Phanar, Istanbul

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) was accompanied by members of the Holy and Sacred Synod and other hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne. Patriarch Neophyte was accompanied by Metropolitan Joseph (Bosakov) of the USA, Canada and Australia ; Metropolitan Amvrosi (Parashkevov) of Dorostol ; Bishop Naum (Dimitrov) of Stobi ; Bishop Ioan (Ivanov) of Znepol ; Archimandrite Dionysios ; Deacon Ivan Petkov ; the Honourable Theodoros Athanassov, Director of the Patriarchal Office ; and the Honourable Kyril Dimitrov (interpreter).

This was Patriarch Neophyte's first official fraternal visit there ("irenic visit" as it is referred to in the Church protocol of Constantinople) since his election and enthronement earlier in the year, in accordance with the common practice of newly-elected Orthodox First-Hierarchs. Upon Patriarch Neophyte’s arrival to the Phanar (Fener) in the afternoon, a "doxology" service was held in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George. Afterwards, there was a formal lunch at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which was preceded by a reception for the Bulgarian entourage in the Chamber of the Throne.

The 3-day visit included official talks, which took place between representatives of the Churches of Constantinople and Bulgaria ; a tour of the sacred sites of the Mother Church of Constantinople ; a concelebration of the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Neophyte, together with members of the Holy and Sacred Synod in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George ; a visit to the local Bulgarian Community Church of Saint Stephanos in the Phanar district ; a concert at the Temple of Saint Irene hosted by local businessman Mr. Ömer M Koç, and featured Greek and Turkish artists ; and a concert which was held at the Halki Theological Seminary.

Bulgarian Temple of Saint Stefan, Istanbul

Official meetings in the Throne Room of the Phanar, Istanbul

Throne of the Patriarch of Constantinople

Halki Theological Seminary and Monastery

Fraternal conversation between the Patriarchates of Russia and Bulgaria, 2014

In late May, 2014, Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) and an entourage visited the Church of Russia. In advance of the official conversation, the visit began with visiting some holy sites.

Saint Petersburg

On 28 May, 2014, in continuation of his official visit to the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Neophyte and his entourage visited the Saint Petersburg Theological Schools.

Saint Petersburg Theological Seminary and Academy

At the main entrance of the academy, Patriarch Neophyte was met by the rector of the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy, Archbishop Ambrose (Ermakov) of Peterhof, together with staff and students of the Saint Petersburg theological schools. First, the bishops proceeded to the academic Temple of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, where they venerated the Holy Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”.

In welcoming the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Ambrose commented that Patriarch Neophyte had studied at the postgraduate course of the Moscow Theological Academy. According to Vladyka Ambrose, Bulgaria, its people and the Church have been connected with the Saint Petersburg Theological Schools through many years of friendship and co-operation :

 In the pre-revolutionary period, almost thirty students from Bulgaria defended their doctoral 
 dissertations.  At a time when the Russian Church was trying to revive its own spiritual education, 
 in Saint Petersburg (then Leningrad), there was a man who became a famous specialist in the history 
 of Bulgaria, its Church and people.  This is Professor Archpriest Vasily (Veryuzhsky), who at the 
 beginning of the 20th century taught theology at the Samokov School in Bulgaria, who knew and 
 loved Bulgarian culture and Church tradition.  At the academy, he began to teach the history of 
 the Local Orthodox Churches, with special emphasis on the history of Bulgaria. 
 
 Our academy will never forget that the famous biblical scholar, professor of the academy and 
 outstanding scholar Nikolai Nikanorovich Glubokovsky went to Bulgaria.  He ended up in exile, and
 Bulgaria accepted him, honoured his work - he became a corresponding member of the Bulgarian 
 Academy of Sciences. [...] Your visit to the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy opens a new 
 milestone in the development of our relations.

The rector of the theological school noted that this year the professor of the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy, M V Shkarovsky, published the book "History of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and its Relations with the Russian Church in the first half of the 20th Century".

On behalf of the Academic Council of the Academy, Vladyka Rector presented Patriarch Neophyte with the Diploma of an Honourary Member of the Saint Petersburg Orthodox Theological Academy : "In consideration of the merits in the field of theological education, and also as a sign of the deepest respect for the primatial service for the benefit of the Holy Orthodox Church".

As a memorial gift, Archbishop Ambrose presented Patriarch Neophyte with an Icon of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.

In response, Patriarch Neophyte said to those present :

 Your Eminence, honorable fathers, respected teachers, dear students of the Saint Petersburg 
 Theological Academy, 
 
 I am glad that I have the opportunity, as part of my peaceful visit to the fraternal Moscow 
 Patriarchate, to visit another of the great and glorious theological schools, with which we are
 bound by strong centuries-old ties of co-operation in the field of spiritual and theological 
 education - this sacred responsibility of the Church, the need for which is becoming more urgent in the 
 height of a great spiritual and value crisis, which is being experienced by the whole world and, 
 in particular, by our Orthodox peoples, associated with widespread unbelief and secularisation.
 
 Founded almost three centuries ago at the Holy Trinity-Saint Alexander Nevsky Lavra, the Saint 
 Petersburg Theological Academy gave education and spiritual growth to many of my compatriots who 
 gave what they learned here to the building of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Bulgarian 
 state.
 
 Moreover (although due to tragic circumstances for the Russian Orthodox Church), the academy gave 
 our Orthodox theology an even more valuable gift — the founder of Orthodox Biblical studies in 
 Bulgaria, the ever-memorable Professor Nikolai Nikanorovich Glubokovsky.  A colossal personality, 
 whom Bulgarian Orthodox theology remembers to this day with the warmest filial feelings, this 
 professor and teacher raised, perhaps more than anyone else, the international prestige of the 
 Faculty of Theology of the Saint Kliment Ohridski Sofia University, founded in 1923.  I can state 
 with particular satisfaction that even today the memory of Professor Nikolai Nikanorovich is alive 
 both in Russia and Bulgaria, as evidenced by the joint efforts of Bulgarian and Russian theologians 
 in the study of his life, work and theological writings.
 
 Not the least, I can emphasise, is the general veneration of the Holy, Noble Prince Alexander Nevsky - 
 the heavenly patron of both your glorious higher theological school and our Patriarchal 
 Cathedral.  The stavropegial Church-monument of Saint Alexander Nevsky was erected in my patronal Sofia 
 in memory of the feat and fraternal self-sacrifice of thousands of Orthodox Russian soldiers who 
 gave their lives for the liberation of my people from the age-old yoke of infidels.
 
 Spiritually rejoicing in these strong fraternal ties (continuing to this day), I sincerely wish all 
 of you, teachers and students of the Academy, that in the only reliable pillar and ground of the 
 truth (1 Timothy 23:15), God's blessing and the intercession of our common ancestors and 
 heavenly patrons be with us all.  Amen.

Then Patriarch Neophyte donated to the Academy an Icon of Saint Sophia, the Wisdom of God, “with the blessing that all students, and students in the academy, succeed, and, with God’s help, live with dignity as Orthodox Christians and theologians”. Also, he gave a set of CDs with Bulgarian chants arranged and performed by the patriarch himself.

Holy Icon : "Wisdom has built her house"

At the end of the ceremony, Archbishop Ambrose invited Bulgarian Orthodox youth to study at the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy and Seminary. Archpriest Vladimir Hulap, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, spoke about the learning process in the Saint Petersburg theological schools.

After this, Metropolitan Gavriil (Dinev) of Lovchan said :

 We are glad that Russia is now being revived.  This faith is built on the blood of martyrs.  It is our 
 wish that Orthodoxy flourish in this great country, because without Russia, Orthodoxy cannot survive 
 in the world.  We rejoice in all the joys of your Motherland and your Church, and we suffer with 
 you when you have difficulties.  God grant that the Lord, through the prayers of many of your 
 saints, will give you spiritual and material prosperity, and that we will always be the closest 
 nations in the future.

Formal conversations

In Moscow, on 29 May, 2014, a fraternal conversation between the Primates of the Russian and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches took place, at the Patriarchal and Synodal residence in the Danilov Stavropegial Monastery. At this meeting, the participants were greater in number than during the previous year.

Representing the Church of Bulgaria were : the chairman of the Synodal Commission for External Church Relations, Metropolitan Dometian (Topuzliev) of Vidin ; the head of the Cultural and Educational Department of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, Metropolitan Gavriil (Dinev) of Lovchan ; Metropolitan John (Ivanov) of Varna and Veliko Preslav ; the General Secretary of the Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Naum (Dimitrov) of Rousse ; the head of the Synodal Liturgical Department, Archimandrite Dionysius (Mishev) ; the representative of the Patriarch of Bulgaria to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Archimandrite Teoktist (Dimitrov).

Representing the Church of Russia were : the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR) of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk ; the head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate, Bishop Sergiy (Chashin) of Solnechnogorsk ; the chairman of the Financial and Economic Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, Bishop Tikhon (Zaitsev) of Podolsk ; the first deputy manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate, Bishop Savva (Mikheev) of Voskresensk ; the deputy chairman of the DECR, Archpriest Nikolai Balashov ; the Representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Bulgaria, Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev) ; DECR Secretary for Inter-Orthodox Relations, Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk.

It was emphasised that the high level of fraternal co-operation between the Churches did not involve political matters, but only matters of faith, its practice, and its implementation. There was mutual concern about the state of affairs regarding faith in Western Europe at that time. Many of the practical matters of mutual concern which had been discussed in the previous year were now further developed and discussed. The agenda and expected content of the pending Pan-Orthodox Council in Crete were included in the considerations.

Patriarch Neophyte and Patriarch Kirill, 2014

Incentive towards population growth, 2017

On Sunday, 22 October, 2017, 1,000 infants were united to the Body of Christ through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in cities throughout Bulgaria : Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Vratsa, and Pleven.

This country-wide baptism was part of the national campaign in support of increasing the number of births. Bulgaria (as other countries) was suffering a population decline. The decrease in Bulgaria was the most extreme in the world. The causes of this situation had been attributed to a combination of post-communist emigration, high death rates, and low birth rates. Some sources predicted a population decrease of 30% by 2060, which would leave the country with a population of 5,000,000. The patron of the campaign was Patriarch Neophyte. The participants in the baptism were to be exempted from paying the usual costs, and there was to be a special birth certificate. Patriarch Neophyte was present to give the patriarchal blessing to the newly-baptised and their god-parents and relatives in the capital city’s Saint Sophia Temple.

This plan and event were perpetuated after the initial event of 2017. By that time, there were already more than 1,200 families involved.

The campaign itself had been inspired by the regular mass baptisms in Georgia. There, after 50 such mass baptisms, Patriarch Ilia II (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) of Georgia (who personally became the god-father of the baptisands) had amassed 33,000 god-children.

Relationship with the Macedonian Orthodox Church, 2018

In January, 2018, Patriarch Neophyte expressed hope regarding the future of the “Macedonian Orthodox Church” (MOC). This statement followed a series of conversations between the Church of Bulgaria (BOC) and the MOC in later 2017. His statement came in response to a question from journalists about what to expect in the near future regarding the rapprochement between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Macedonian Orthodox Church.

Since it broke away from the Church of Serbia officially in 1967, the Macedonian Orthodox Church was in a state of schism from the rest of the Orthodox world, unrecognised by any Local Autocephalous Church.

Patriarch Neophyte commented :

 There have been strong meetings and talks. We try to listen attentively, to 
 maintain a good tone, and to meet the hierarchs and the people on whom the 
 movement of this matter depends. Thank God that there is a consensus on the 
 main issues for future unity.

The matter was quite delicate. Although the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) was having such conversations with the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC), the Church of Serbia was perturbed, since it was from that Church that the split had occurred. It is normal that the healing of such a split would be achieved between the original principal parties. The SOC was not at that time a participant in such talks. Besides the concerns of the Church of Serbia, the Church of Greece (GOC) has had long-standing concerns about the use of the term “Macedonia”. A portion of Greece is called by this name, and Macedonia has a place in ancient Greek history.

Illness, 2018

On 18 April, 2018, Patriarch Neophyte was found to have fainted in his chambers, and he was taken to the Tokuda Cardiology Hospital in Sofia. Once again, a heart surgery was required, after which a month of convalescence in the hospital was required.

Recovery from illness

On 19 May, 2018, Patriarch Neophyte was discharged from the hospital. Following further convalescence, the patriarch continued to fulfil his primatial and archpastoral responsibilities at home and abroad.

Visit from Pope Francis, 2019

In May, 2019, Patriarch Neophyte met with Pope Francis in the Synod Hall of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Pope Francis was in the midst of a visit to Roman Catholic Christians in Bulgaria, at the invitation of the government.

Pope Francis venerates the panagia of Patriarch Neophyte

Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria became an honourary citizen of Pernik (19 October, 2019)

Pernik (a very old and very large town 30 km/19 mi southwest of Sofia) is a city which annually celebrates the memory of the Wonder-Worker Saint John of Rila on 19 October. In 2019, the city was celebrating its 90th anniversary of having been classified and proclaimed as a city by Tsar Boris III in 1929.

On 19 October, 2019, on the Feast of Saint John of Rila, the celebrations were held as usual at the Temple of Saint John of Rila in the city.

Patriarch Neophyte led the Primatial Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Temple, and he was assisted by Belogradchik ; Archimandrite Vasiliy (Savov), Protosingel of the Sofia Eparchy ; Archimandrite Nikanor (Mishkov), Abbot of the Montenegrin Monastery ; Hieromonk Ephraim the Katunakiote of Mount Athos ; clergy of the capital city, and local clergy. There were many Faithful attending as well, who desired to venerate the portion of the Incorrupt Holy Relic of Saint John of Rila which is kept in the Temple, and to receive the blessing of God from it.

Also present on this occasion were : the regional governor Irena Sokolova ; parliamentary deputies ; municipal councillors ; community members, and other politicians.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, on this special occasion, Patriarch Neophyte was made an honourary citizen of the city of Pernik. This act reflects the determination of the city's administration to associate the anniversary with significant spiritual events and personalities.

The nomination of the Bulgarian Patriarch was initiated by the committee led by regional governor Irena Sokolova, and it was based on the exceptional contribution of Patriarch Neophyte in the revival of dozens of Temples and monasteries in Pernik. The proposal was motivated by the care taken by the patriarch to provide (through the blessings he gave) spiritual leaders for the Christian population, by his contribution (through the blessings he gave) to the teaching of religion in the Bulgarian schools and other such acts.

Temple of Saint John of Rila, Pernik

Patriarch Neophyte and Governor Irena Sokolova

75th birthday marked, 2020

On 15 October, 2020, in solitude and prayer, Patriarch Neophyte marked 75 years since his birth. This was so mainly because of the epidemiological situation (the Covid 19 pandemic) in the country, according to a press release from the Sofia Metropolis of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Neophyte asked the Faithful of Bulgaria to mark this anniversary “by praying for the health, peace and prosperity of our pious people”. He also requested that, in lieu of flowers or other gifts, the Faithful make donations to the Sofia Metropolis’ Department of Mercy and Charity, or that they assist a disadvantaged person of their own choice.

Illness, 2021

On 27 June, 2021, Patriarch Neophyte was taken into hospital in Sofia. He was reported to have been admitted for an examination. It was reported that he was feeling well, and that he was grateful to everyone for their attention and prayer. At the same time, since he was well-aware of the tendency to speculation by the media, he asked that no unverified facts from anywhere be published.

Upon his release after a month of treatment for his heart condition, he returned to his quarters, and he continued to fulfil his duties as usual, but with great caution.

Grateful recollection on the 10th anniversary of election as Metropolitan of Ruse, 2021

"Patriarch Neophyte became a symbol of people's desire to understand each other. This happened at a time when dark forces were sowing opposition. He has left us, but may what he symbolised grow and multiply".

To commemorate this event in 2001, a special film was produced. It was published on the internet in 2024.

This old film, was produced on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of his election as Metropolitan of Ruse. The film makes it possible to feel, albeit vaguely, his bright personality.

Official visits, 2021

Within one week in December, 2021, Patriarch Neophyte received a visit from 2 ambassadors from abroad.

The first visit, on 9 December, 2021, was from the Ambassador of Russia to Bulgaria, Mrs. Eleonora Mitrofanova. In the Metropolis Headquarters in Sofia, she conveyed to him wishes from Moscow Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev) for health and spiritual strength in his archpastoral service. Ambassador Mitrofanova recalled the traditionally good relations between the Bulgarian and Russian Orthodox Churches, as well as to the historical ties that also connect the two countries.

During the meeting, questions were raised related to the pending 120th anniversary of the sanctification of the Temple of the Nativity of Christ in Shipka, as well as opportunities for pilgrimage tourism. She issued an official invitation to Patriarch Neophyte and the metropolitans to participate in the sanctification of the Temple of Saint Cyprian of Kiev and Moscow in Moscow, in 2022. Hope was expressed for co-operation in restoration activities in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky in Sofia.

The second visit, on 14 December, 2021, was from the Ambassador of the United States of America to Bulgaria, Mrs. Herro Mustafa. In the Metropolis Headquarters in Sofia, Ambassador Mustafa expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to meet, and she wished him health and more spiritual strength to lead the Bulgarian Church. During the reception, several matters of public life were discussed, such as the global pandemic and the maintenance of good relations between the religious communities in the country. Mrs. Mustafa expressed her condolences on the repose of the "Stavrophor"-"Econom" Angel Angelov. She commented on the fact that Bulgarians who live in the USA, and Americans who live in Bulgaria add to the strong and friendly relations between Bulgaria and the USA. At the end of the meeting, Mrs. Mustafa wished Patriarch Neophyte a joyful celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ and of the coming new year. For his part, Patriarch Neophyte expressed his hope that the meetings would be more frequent, and that there be an opportunity for more joint initiatives.

At both meetings, Bishop Gerasim (Georgiev) of Melnik, Secretary General of the Holy Synod of Bishops, and Bishop Policarp (Petrov) of Belogradchik, Vicar of the Metropolitan of Sofia were both present.

It is to be remembered that Metropolitan Joseph (Bosakov) has led the Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand for several decades. This far-flung diocese cares for a large number of Bulgarian expatriates in those countries.

Metropolitan Simeon (Kostdinov) led the Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese of Western and Central Europe in a similar capacity, and he was succeeded by Metropolitan Antony (Michalev).

Celebrations in 2022

Ninth Anniversary Celebrations of the Enthronement of Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria (28 February, 2022)

On 24 February, 2022, the Ninth Anniversary of the enthronement of Patriarch Neophyte was marked in Sofia.

On this day, the festive Divine Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Antony (Yurievich) of Western and Central Europe in the Cathedral of the Holy Martyr Nedelya (Kyriaki). He was assisted by the Vicar of the Metropolitan of Sofia, Bishop Polikarp (Petrov) of Belograd ; the Rector of the Sofia Theological Seminary, Bishop Pakhomiy of Branitse ; the Protosingel of the Sofia Metropolitanate, Archimandrite Vasily (Savov) ; the representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Bulgaria, and the Rector of the Metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia, Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeev) ; the representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Priest-"Econom" Neluţ Oprea ; dean of the Sofia diocese, Archimandrite Evfimy (Koynov) ; deputy rector of the , Bishop Pakhomiy of Branitse Sofia Theological Seminary, Hieromonk Meletiy (Spasov) ; the rector of the Cathedral of the Saint Nedelya, "Stavrophor"-"Econom" Nikolai Georgiev ; and clergy of the Sofia Eparchy.

The liturgical hymns were sung by the male choir of the Church of Saint Nedelya under the direction of Professor Protopsalt Miroslav Popsavov and Dr. Stoyan Malinov.

Patriarch Neophyte with Dr Stoyan Malinov (second from right) in 2017, following his doctoral defence

At the end of the Liturgy, a prayer-service was performed for the health and prosperity of the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Then Metropolitan Antony greeted all those present at the celebration :

 Today, the entire Bulgarian Orthodox Church lifts up her heartfelt prayers to the merciful God that
 the Lord bless the prosperous and peaceful life of the First Hierarch of our native Church, that He help
 him in his responsibilities, and grant him good health, good spirits to lead the ship of the Bulgarian 
 Church, at all times, with humility, meekness, great distance from vanity, in prayer 
 and unshakeable faith in God, in which he was brought up by his parents.

In particular, Metropolitan Antony conveyed to all those present the blessing of the Primate of the Bulgarian Church.

Service of Commemoration of the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Yoke (7 March, 2022)

On 3 March, 2022, Bulgaria celebrated the 144th anniversary of the liberation from the Ottoman yoke. The liberation of Bulgaria took place during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, which in Bulgaria is called the Liberation War.

On this day, Metropolitan Kyprian (Kazandjiev) of Stara Zagora led a Service of Thanksgiving at the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Shipka. He was assisted by the representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia under the Patriarch of Bulgaria, the rector of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia, Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeev), and by clerics of the Starozagora Metropolis.

Nativity of Christ Temple, Shipka

At the end of that prayer-service, the participants in the festive events went to the Freedom Monument on the peak of Shipka (which was formerly called the peak of Saint Nicholas). Metropolitan Gregory (Stefanov) of Veliko Tarnovo and Metropolitan Kyprian (Kazandjiev) of Starozagora, served together a Panikhida (Memorial Service), assisted by Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeev), for the dead Russian and Bulgarian soldiers. The memorial service was attended by representatives of the state authorities of Bulgaria : Chairman of the National Assembly Nikola Minchev ; Prime Minister of Bulgaria Kirill Petkov ; Minister of Innovation and Development Daniel Lorer ; and deputies of the National Assembly of Bulgaria. There were numerous other persons present and praying during the service.

Metropolitan Kyprian of Stara Zagora addressed the audience with an archpastoral word :

 Bow to all the soldiers who fell for the liberation of Bulgaria, who came fraternally to liberate
 our suffering Motherland, and in fact, in laying down their lives, defended the power of Orthodox 
 love ! It is important today, especially today, to look back and repeat this example of unity ! 
 Bow to all who shed blood and laid down their lives on the altar of our Fatherland ! May God 
 preserve our beloved Motherland, and may God's Grace be with every Bulgarian !

The festive events ended with the laying of wreaths and flowers at the Freedom Monument.

The secretary of the Metochion of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in Sofia, Archpriest Yevgeny Pavelchuk, took part in the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the national memorial day of the Bulgarian people at the Sofia Cathedral of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky.

A memorial litia for the soldiers who died in the Russian-Turkish war for the liberation of Bulgaria, and a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of freedom and independence to the Bulgarian people were offered by the vicar of the Sofia Metropolis, Bishop Polikarp (Petrov) of Belograd. He was assisted by the Protosingel of the Sofia Metropolis, Archimandrite Vasiliy (Savov) ; the representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Sofia, the "Stavrophor" Priest-"Econom" Neluţ Oprea ; Archimandrite Evfimy (Koynov) ; and the clergy of the Sofia Metropolis.

Illness, 2023

Near the end of 2023, Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) began once again to suffer from the persistent respiratory illness which had afflicted him. He was hospitalised when it was required, and he remained in the Military Medical Academy Hospital for several months.

Repose, 2024

In March, 2024, the condition of Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) worsened. He began to suffer from multiple organ failure.

On Wednesday, 13 March, 2024, in the late evening, Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) fell asleep in the Lord.

On Friday, 15 March, 2024, the coffin containing the body of the newly-departed Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) was brought into the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of Sofia, and many people queued up in order to pay their respects, and to venerate his remains.

Patriarch Neophyte at rest

At rest, people giving respect

Venerating the newly-departed

The queue to enter the cathedral

Patriarch Bartholomew

On Saturday, 16 March, 2024, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Hierarch was offered in the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of Sofia, Bulgaria. The service was led by the bishops of the Holy Synod of the Church of Bulgaria, together with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) and other hierarchs, and by many clergy.

Paatriarch Bartholomew presiding

After the conclusion of the funeral obsequies, thousands of people accompanied the procession to the tomb at Sofia’s Saint Nedelya Sobor. The coffin of Patriarch Neophyte was carried on the same gun-carriage that was used at the funeral of King Boris III in 1943.

The procession arriving at Saint Nedelya Sobor

At Saint Nedelya's Sobor, the body of Patriarch Neophyte (Dimitrov) was taken to the small Temple nearby, where a final Trisagion was offered before the entombment.

Final Trisagion (Litiya) service

– Bishop of Levki 1985-1994. Preceded by : ____. Succeeded by : ____.

– Vicar-Bishop of the Sofia Eparchy.

– Metropolitan of Dorostol and Cherven 1994-2001. Preceded by : Metropolitan Sophrony (Stoychev). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Hilarion (Tsonev).

– Metropolitan of Rousse 2001-2013. Preceded by : See established. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Naum (Dimitrov).

– Patriarch of Bulgaria 2013-20__. Preceded by : Patriarch Maxim (Minkov). Succeeded by : ____.

Reflections

Locum Tenens

After the conclusion of the funeral obsequies, on 19 March, 2024, a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church took place. At this meeting, Metropolitan Gregory (Tsvetkov) of Vratsa was elected as the locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne. He would oversee the Sofia diocese also, until the election of a new patriarch, in less than 4 months.

'During his lifetime, His Holiness Neophyte was known as a tolerant and calm leader, and also as a zealous defender of Christian values and an advocate for the introduction of the subject "Religion" in Bulgarian schools'. (Bulgarian National Radio, 14 March, 2024)

The brother of Patriarch Neophyte, Associate Professor Dimitar Dimitrov, has served as the chief conductor of the choir at the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia.

During the course of his pastoral, and much of his archpastoral service, Patriarch Neophyte endured (along with the whole Church of Bulgaria) the very corrosive pressure and machinations of the communist government of the time. During those days, when being an Orthodox Christian at all caused many difficulties in everyday life, the suffering of the Faithful was very great. Many people emigrated during those years. By the time the communists fell from power in 1989-1990, the Church and Church life had been very much destroyed. The process of re-evangelising the country of Bulgaria was able to begin. This process required humility and patience, since the pressure against the Church had not yet ended. The bishops and clergy had to pass through the painful period of being suspected and accused of having collaborated with the communists. As with others, Vladyka Neophyte behaved in a clearly Christian manner, with notable humility.

Throughout the course of his archpastoral service, Patriarch Neophyte has encouraged the renewal of Christian education, both in parish and in public spheres of life. He has encouraged evangelical works to help people find hope and joy in Christ as Orthodox Christians. He has also had to address the influx of secular western principles (and with them another sort of pressure against the Orthodox Church), and western Protestant activities (which also act against the Orthodox Christian Faith). By the Grace of God, the Orthodox Church in Bulgaria has grown again (thanks to the prayerful labours of Patriarch Neophyte and the other bishops and clergy) to be able to provide comfort, hope and strength to the people of Bulgaria.

Awards and honours

• Honourary Doctor of the Sofia University of Saint Clement of Ohrid (2 December, 2008) “For a complete contribution to the development of spirituality in the Sofia University and its active participation in the restoration of the Faculty of Theology”.

• Chain of the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius (22 June, 2010) “For his particularly important merits for the development of the 'Saint Kliment Ohridski' Theology Faculty ; for his contribution to the development of scientific and fraternal relations between Eastern and Western Christians, and for his 65th birthday”.

• Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st Degree (Ukraine, 27 July, 2013) “For outstanding church activities aimed at raising the prestige of Orthodoxy in the world, and on the occasion of the celebration of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Rus' in Ukraine”.

• Order of Glory and Honour, 1st degree (Russian Orthodox Church, 2013).

• Order of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, 1st degree (Russian Orthodox Church, 2014).

• Honourary Member of the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy “In consideration of the merits in the field of theological education, and also as a sign of the deepest respect for the primatial service for the benefit of the Holy Orthodox Church”.

• Order "Stara Planina", 1st degree (2015).

Writings

Selection of homilies, addresses and speeches (translated into English)

A full list is available here.

• Congratulatory Address to the Faculty of Theology on the Occasion of the Feast of Saint Kliment Ohridski (25 November, 2020)

• Greetings from Patriarch Neophyte on the Occasion of the 68th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Bulgarian Patriarchate (10 May, 2021)

• Address for the Second Sunday after Pentecost : All Saints of Bulgaria (4 July, 2021)

• Address on the Occasion of the 1075th Anniversary of the Assumption of the Venerable John of Rila the Wonder-worker (18 August, 2021)

• Address of Condolences on the Occasion of a Fire in a Home for the Elderly in Varna (23 November, 2021)

• Address on the Day of Saint Andrew the Apostle (30 November, 2021)

• Speech on Christmas Eve (24 December, 2021)

• Christmas Address (televised) (25 December, 2021)

• Address on the Occasion of the New Year 2022 (31 December, 2021)

• Address at the Consecration of the Battle Flags (6 January, 2022)

• Congratulatory Address on the Occasion of the Feast-day of the higher Theological Schools (30 January, 2022)

• Meeting of Our Lord, God, and Saviour (2 February, 2022)

• Address for Peace on the Occasion of the military Actions in Ukraine (25 February, 2022)

• On the Day of the Liberation of Bulgaria (3 March, 2022)

• Sunday of Forgiveness (6 March, 2022)

• Words at the Beginning of Great Lent (7 March, 2022)

• Second Sunday of Lent : of Saint Gregory Palamas (20 March, 2022)

• Feast of the Annunciation (25 March, 2022)

• Third Sunday of Lent : Adoration of the Cross (27 March, 2022)

• Fourth Sunday of Lent : Saint John of the Ladder (3 April, 2022)

• Fifth Sunday of Lent : Saint Mary of Egypt (10 April, 2022)

• Sixth Sunday of Lent : the Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem (17 April, 2022)

References

Wikipedia biography

Orthodoxwiki biography

Bulgarian Wikipedia biography

Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral biography

Russian Wikipedia biography

Drevo Tree Open Orthodox Encyclopaedia biography

Patriarcha.ru biography

Orthodoxia.ch biography

Additional information :

Broun, Janice, ‘The Schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’ in “Religion, State and Society”, vol. 21, no. 2 (1993).

……, ‘The Schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Part 2 : Under the Second Union of Democratic Forces Government, 1997-2001’ in “Religion, State & Society”, vol. 30, no. 4 (Carafax Publishing, 2002).

Dimitrov, Ivan Z, ‘Bulgarian Christianity’ in “The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Orthodoxy”, ed. Parry, Ken (Oxford : John Wiley & Sons, 2007). ISBN 10 : 0631234233 ; ISBN 13 : 9780631234234.

Raikin, Spas T, ‘Schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’ in “Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe”, vol. 13, issue 1, article 3 (George Fox University, 1993).

……, “Schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, 1992-1997” (Routledge, 1998).

Skurat, Prof. K E, ‘Chapter IV : The Bulgarian Orthodox Church’ in “History of the Orthodox Local Churches”, vol. 1 (Moscow, 1994). (in Russian ; in English)

Tsatsov, Boris, “Archbishops of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church” (Sofia : Princeps, 2003) ISBN : 954-8067-75-7.

Church of Bulgaria web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Bulgaria

Wikipedia article about the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia

Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of Western Europe

Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov)

Patriarch Maxim (Minkov)

Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)

Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev)

Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev)

Metropolitan Sophrony (Stoychev)