80 Years Since the Birth of Patriarch Neophyte - Commemoration

Today marks eighty years since the birth of the blessed Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Nedelya in Sofia will host a memorial liturgy in memory of His Holiness Neophyte, Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, who would have turned eighty on October 15, 2025. Following the liturgy, a requiem and trisagion will be served at the patriarch's grave. The events are organized by the press service of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate (BPC-BP) in honor of this anniversary.

A ceremony will be held in the building of the Faculty of Theology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" to open an aula, which will bear the name of Patriarch Neophyte, and a portrait of him will be displayed. In addition, a publication of his doctorate, translated and published for the first time in Bulgarian, will be presented. A documentary film in memory of Patriarch Neophyte will also be screened.

The events in the capital are part of a series of commemorative events dedicated to the life and work of Patriarch Neophyte. The Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia, who passed away in 2024, left a deep mark on Bulgarian society and in the Orthodox world.

On March 13, 2024, after a prolonged illness at the Military Medical Academy (MMA-Sofia), Patriarch Neophyte reposed in the Lord. His death was announced by the Holy Synod. On that sad day, at 10:22 PM, he left this world due to multiple organ failure.

The decision of the Holy Synod triggered a wave of grief and condolences from all institutions of spiritual and secular authority, from politicians, public figures and the faithful. Thousands of people from all over the country and abroad flocked to pay their last respects to the patriarch, and agencies from around the world covered the events.

On March 16, 2024, Bulgaria paid its last respects to Patriarch Neophyte. March 15 and 16, 2024 were declared days of national mourning.

On March 16, in the Patriarchal Cathedral "St. Alexander Nevsky," an archhieratic requiem liturgy was served, led by Metropolitan Ioan of Varna and Veliki Preslav. The funeral service of Patriarch Neophyte began at 11:30 a.m. and was headed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in concelebration with representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches and archbishops of the BPC-BP. A mourning procession accompanied the body of Patriarch Neophyte to the Metropolitan Cathedral "St. Nedelya," where it was laid for eternal rest at the grave of Exarch Joseph.

The funeral procession was attended by high-ranking representatives of the state, including the President, the Chairman of the National Assembly, ministers from the outgoing government, members of parliament, representatives of various institutions and denominations, ambassadors, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Metropolitan Epiphanius of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and many believers who came to say goodbye to the patriarch. The ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine in Bulgaria were also present, reflecting the international interest in this important moment.

Patriarch Neophyte, whose secular name is Simeon Nikolov Dimitrov, was born in 1945. He had a long and fruitful ecclesiastical path, which began in his youth. In 1967, together with his brother and his friends, he founded the choir "Yoan Kukuzel-Angel-voiced." His musical talent and devotion to church music accompanied him throughout his life.

In 1989, he was elected rector of the Theological Academy, and later became the first dean of the restored Faculty of Theology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski." As dean, he left a lasting mark on the hearts of students and teachers.

On March 27, 1994, he was elected Metropolitan of Dorostol and Cherven, and from 2001 to 2013, he was Metropolitan of Ruse. In 2013, he was elected Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The works and merits of Patriarch Neophyte are highly valued. He was awarded numerous awards and honors, including the title of "Doctor Honoris Causa" of Sofia University and the orders "St. Cyril and Methodius," "Stara Planina," and an honorary sign from Pope Francis. He is also an honorary citizen of Ruse, Dve Mogili, Pernik and Kyustendil.

A special issue of the "Church Newsletter," covering the events surrounding the death of Patriarch Neophyte, was published. The publication included information about the memorial services, the veneration, the funeral service, the mourning procession and the burial, thus perpetuating the memory of the Bulgarian Patriarch.