Bulgaria to have a new Patriarch within 4 months

Patriarch Maxim's successor at the helm of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) will be elected according to the statues, the Holy Synod said following the news of Maxim's death. Gregory, Bishop of Veliko Tarnovo and the most senior member of the Holy Synod, will run the Church for the next seven days. During this time, a Chairman of the Synod has to be selected who will then have the task of organising and supervising an election procedure within four months of the day Maxim passed away," Bishop Gavriil said.

Asked about his chances to be the next Patriarch, Gavriil said he relies on God's providence. "It's common knowledge I have no such aspirations. Let's pray for the soul and, of course, pray that God shows us the best person to lead BOC," he said.

As to whether having a history of cooperating with the national secret services may be a serious drawback for someone's nomination, Gavriil evaded the question by saying that he can't be the judge of which of a person's many qualities will be decisive. "You have to assess a man's whole character. The ideal candidate is a man who will devote himself to building on what has already been accomplished, preserving the Church's integrity and leading the clergy and the people on the path of salvation," Bishop Gavriil said.

"My deepest condolences for the demise of His Holiness Patriarch Maxim, head of BOC," Hristo Proykov, Apostolic Exarch and Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of the Catholic Church in Bulgaria, wrote in a condolatory letter. Orthodox churches across the world send their condolences too.

Around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Patriarch Maxim died in the Government Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment in the last month."

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