Amvrosius Parashkevov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Metropolitan Ambrose in 2010
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| Native name | Амвросий Доростолски |
| Church | Bulgarian Orthodox Church |
| Appointed | 30 May 2019 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 13 August 1983 (Tonsured) 19 October 1983 (Hierodeaconon) 15 August 1984 (Hieromonk) 3 April 1994 (Bishop) |
| Rank | Metropolitan |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Alexander Alexandrov Parashkevov |
| Born | June 9, 1942 Svishtov, Bulgaria |
| Died | August 18, 2020 (aged 78) Silistra, Bulgaria |
| Nationality | Bulgarian |
| Denomination | Eastern Orthodox Church |
Ambrose of Dorostol (Bulgarian: Амвросий Доростолски) (9 June 1942 – 18 August 2020) was a Bulgarian Orthodox clergyman. His birth name was Alexander Alexandrov Parashkevov (Bulgarian: Александър Александров Парашкевов). He served as the Bishop of Branitsa from 1998 to 2010. Later, he became the Metropolitan of Dorostol from 2010 until his death in 2020. He was an important member of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
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Early Life and Education
Ambrose was born as Alexander Alexandrov Parashkevov on June 9, 1942. His hometown was Svishtov, Bulgaria. He finished high school in Svishtov. After that, he studied at the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy in Sofia.
Becoming a Monk and Priest
In 1983, Alexander decided to join the church. He started studying at the St. Kliment Ohridski Theological Academy. He finished his studies there in 1987.
On August 13, 1983, he became a monk at the Klisurski Monastery. This is called being "tonsured." He was given the new name Ambrose. On October 19, 1983, he became a hierodeacon. This is a type of deacon in the Orthodox Church. He served in the Vidin diocese for about a year.
On August 15, 1984, he became a hieromonk. This means he was a monk who was also a priest. He served at the Klisura Monastery and helped in other churches nearby. Later, in 1989, he was given the higher rank of Archimandrite. From 1988 to 1994, he was the abbot (leader) of the Lopushna Monastery.
Church Leadership and Reconciliation
In the early 1990s, there was a disagreement within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. This led to a "split" or "schism" where some leaders formed an "Alternative Synod."
Joining the Alternative Synod
In 1994, Ambrose joined this Alternative Synod. On April 3, 1994, he was ordained as a bishop by their leader. He was then made a Metropolitan for this group. He set up his church office in Berkovitsa. This was because the main church leaders in Vidin did not allow him back into their city.
Rejoining the Main Church
On October 1, 1998, a big meeting was held in Sofia. It was called the All-Orthodox Council. At this meeting, Ambrose decided to rejoin the main Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The church leaders accepted him back. They recognized his ordination as a bishop. He was given the title of Metropolitan of Branitsa. He also helped the Metropolitan of Vidin.
From 1999 to 2004, he also served as the abbot of the Klisura Monastery again. He worked hard to repair the monastery and improve its finances.
Metropolitan of Dorostol
On January 17, 2010, Ambrose was chosen to be the Metropolitan of Dorostol. The Holy Synod (the main council of bishops) of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church voted for him. He was officially confirmed on January 24. On January 30, 2010, he was installed as the leader of the Diocese of Dorostol.
In 2013, after another Metropolitan passed away, Ambrose was asked to temporarily lead the Varna and Veliko Preslav dioceses.
Passing Away
Metropolitan Ambrose of Dorostol passed away on August 18, 2020. He died in Silistra due to problems from COVID-19. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria.
