Neophyte of Bulgaria facts for kids

Patriarch Neophyte (born Simeon Nikolov Dimitrov) was a very important leader of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. He was born on October 15, 1945, and passed away on March 13, 2024.

He served as the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church from February 24, 2013, until his death. Before becoming Patriarch, he was a Metropolitan bishop in Ruse from 2001 to 2013. He also served as a bishop in Dorostol and Cherven from 1994 to 2001.

Early Life and Church Training

Simeon Nikolov Dimitrov finished his basic schooling in 1959. He then joined the Sofia Theological Seminary at Cherepish Monastery. He completed his studies there in 1965.

In 1971, he graduated from the Sofia Theological Academy. He later studied church singing at the Moscow Theological Academy.

Becoming a Monk and Priest

On August 3, 1975, Simeon became a monk at the Troyan Monastery. He took the name Neophyte. This ceremony was led by Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria.

The next year, he became a hierodeacon, which is a type of deacon in the Orthodox Church. Soon after, he became a hieromonk, which is a monk who is also a priest. This happened at the St. Nedelya Church in Sofia.

From 1975, he led the church choir in Sofia. In 1977, he started teaching Orthodox Singing at the Sofia Theological Academy. On November 21, 1977, Patriarch Maxim made him an archimandrite. This is a high rank for a monk-priest.

Role During a Changing Time

Between 1983 and 1990, Neophyte was involved with the Committee for State Security. This was a state organization during the communist era in Bulgaria.

Records describe him as very religious and dedicated to the church. He supported keeping the old traditions of the Orthodox Church. He also openly spoke about the church needing full independence from the state. This became more common as socialist countries started to change and become more democratic.

His Passing

Patriarch Neophyte passed away on March 13, 2024. He was 78 years old. He had been ill with a lung condition for about four months before his death. He died in a hospital in Sofia.

Becoming a Bishop

On December 8, 1985, Neophyte was made a Titular Bishop of Levki. This ceremony took place at the Patriarchal cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky. He was also appointed as the second Vicar bishop for the Eparchy of Sofia. A vicar bishop helps the main bishop.

Leadership Roles in the Church

On December 1, 1989, Bishop Neophyte was chosen to be the Rector of the Sofia Theological Academy. When the Faculty of Theology at Sofia University was reopened in 1991, he became its dean.

He was also appointed Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod. The Holy Synod is the main governing body of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. He also chaired the Church Trusteeship of Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. He held these roles until January 1992.

During a difficult time when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church faced a split, he played an important part. He helped in talks to resolve issues and bring unity back to the church.

Neophyte of Bulgaria and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

On March 27, 1994, he was given the title of Metropolitan bishop. A few days later, on April 3, he became the diocesan Bishop of the Eparchy of Dorostol and Cherven. An eparchy is like a diocese, a church district.

In 2001, the church decided to divide the Eparchy of Dorostol and Cherven. It was split into two separate eparchies: Dorostol and Ruse. At that time, Neophyte became the Bishop of Ruse.

Becoming Patriarch

After Patriarch Maxim died on November 10, 2012, the church needed a new leader. Neophyte was one of the bishops supported to become the new head.

On February 24, 2013, a special church council met to elect the new Patriarch. Neophyte was chosen as the Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. He received 90 votes, while Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech received 47 votes.

Important Meetings as Patriarch

As Patriarch, Neophyte met with Pope Francis in 2019. This meeting happened when Pope Francis visited Bulgaria. Many saw this meeting as a step towards better relations between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.