His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Neofit died at the age of 78.
The Bulgarian Patriarch was admitted to hospital at the end of November last year because of a lung disease. Dozens of prayers have been said for his health since Christmas, and in recent weeks many Patriarchates have called for prayers for Neofit.
On his Facebook account, Metropolitan Anthony wrote - "God forgive His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch Neofit! He will remain unforgettable in our hearts with his love, kindness, humility and patience! Bright way, Holy Bishop!"
BGNES reminds that His Holiness Neofit was born on October 15, 1945 in Sofia with the secular name Simeon Dimitrov. After completing his secondary education, he was accepted as a student at the Sofia Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1965.
From September 1967 he was a student at the Spiritual Academy "St. He graduated in 1971.
From the autumn of 1971 to 1973 he was a theological specialist at the Department of Church Singing at the Moscow Theological Academy. On September 1, 1973 he was appointed professor of Eastern Church singing and conductor of the student choir at the St. Nicholas Theological Academy. He was appointed to the post of Professor of Choral Choir at St. Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia.
In 1975 he was ordained a monk in the Troyan Monastery with the name Neofit by Patriarch Maxim. In 1977, he was ordained a monk in the Cathedral of St. In 1977 he was ordained to the archimandrite dignity. From December 1985 he was proconsignor of the Sofia diocese and as such on 8 December he was ordained to the episcopal rank with the title of Lefki.
Since December 1989 Bishop Neofit has been the Rector of the Theological Academy "St.. On July 26, 1991 he was elected the first Dean of the restored Faculty of Theology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". He was appointed the first President of the Sofia University. In the same year, he was appointed Secretary General of St. John of God Faculty. He was appointed Secretary of the Synod and Chairman of the Church Board of the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. He was also the head of the Patriarchate of St. Alexander Nevsky.
In 1994 he was elected Metropolitan of Dorostol and Cherven. In 2008 he became Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Sofia. The title was awarded for his overall contribution to the development of spirituality at Sofia University and for his active participation.
In 2010 he was awarded by the President with the Order of St. Cyril and Methodius" - necklace "for his particularly significant services to the development of the Spiritual Academy "St. Kliment Ohridski", for his contribution to the development of scientific and educational ties and relations between Eastern and Western Christians and on the occasion of his 65th anniversary".
On Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Patriarchal Electoral Church Council in Sofia, Metropolitan Neofit of Ruthenia was elected Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia.
The enthronement of His Holiness Neofit as Patriarch of Bulgaria took place the same day at St. Alexander Nevsky". / BGNES
