The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church rejected the appeals of the archimandrite who had concelebrated with the head of the OCU

During a plenary session held on October 2, 2026, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church decided to reject the appeals filed by Archimandrite Nikanor (Hristo Hristov Mishkov). According to Orthodox Times, the case has been returned to the Sofia Diocesan Ecclesiastical Court for further proceedings.

The dispute arose due to Archimandrite Nikanor’s objections regarding the diocesan court’s jurisdiction to hear charges of slander, insults, and other ecclesiastical offenses. The Synod confirmed that the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Sofia Diocesan Ecclesiastical Court, since the charges relate to the cleric’s conduct and his duties within the Sofia Metropolis, and not merely to the monastery’s internal affairs.

In addition, the highest ecclesiastical authority recognized as lawful the measures temporarily suspending Archimandrite Nikanor from his priestly and liturgical duties. These measures had previously been imposed by Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria. The Synod’s decision emphasizes that such steps are preventive in nature and aimed at averting a church scandal. It is worth noting that the Synod’s decision is final; however, Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora expressed his disagreement by voting against this resolution.

As a reminder, Archimandrite Nikanor (Mishkov) had previously expressed support for the OCU, calling it a “grace-filled and canonical Local Church.” During his visit to Kyiv, the clergyman emphasized that he sees no obstacles to Eucharistic communion with the clergy of the OCU.