The Controversial Bulgarian Archimandrite Nikanor Tried to Draw the Vatican into a Scheme to Elect the Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Part Two)

Part One

It is even possible that Metropolitan Naum of Ruse was unaware of Nikanor’s machinations, although the archimandrite persistently emphasizes that he and the metropolitan have a close relationship. It is likely that, through this plan, Mishkov hoped that if Metropolitan Naum were elected Patriarch, he himself would be rewarded in some way and gain the opportunity to acquire greater authority within the Sofia Metropolis and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as a whole.

In any case, Nikanor’s calculations did not pan out, since on June 20, 2024, the Holy Synod voted to select three candidates from whom the Patriarch was to be elected: Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa, Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin, and Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech. In the vote, Naum of Ruse received zero votes.

Specifically regarding one of these metropolitans of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church who made it into the top three, Nikanor allowed himself to make unacceptable comments and assessments in front of a foreign representative. In a telephone conversation, he says of Gregory of Vratsa that “he won’t do anything” because he is subordinate to Metropolitan Nicholas.

Transcript of the controversial recording:

Nikanor: Gregory, so... that means Nicholas will be in charge of both the Sofia Diocese and the entire Church. But this guy won’t do anything—not with the Vatican, not with the Ukrainians, not with anything. He’s inert… Back when he was an abbot, they used to throw, you know, gay parties and all that at his monastery. So, I’m calling to suggest that, while there’s still time, we discuss this through your channels. I propose approaching the Holy Father again—through the cardinal, that is. I believe we need to exert some influence. And directly through your personal connection with Nikolai—so that you can go see him, pay him a visit, and bring him something from the Pope after Easter. Does he truly believe he is ready to do the right thing—to support Naum? That is the right course of action. Naum is very close, as you know, to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This best aligns with the Vatican’s policy, since your guiding principle is to ensure that the Ecumenical Patriarch is well taken care of and supported. I, too, share this position, which is why we believe that Naum is the right man for the job. However, aside from—as they say—your visit to Nikolai, I recommend... since you find yourselves, so to speak, in a dichotomy—you have both a soul and a body, unlike us, who are guided solely by the soul—I strongly recommend that the Vatican, in the most delicate and diplomatic manner possible (of course, you know that anything is possible), to exert some influence here. So, the key players are Borisov and Peevsky, or the Bulgarian government.

Vatican Representative: Oh, my God, Peevsky. Good Lord!

Nikanor: Well, that’s the situation—they’re the key players, but Borisov can do it. Borisov can do it; he—Borisov—is enough, all right. Who the Vatican would like to see in the place of Patriarch Naum of Ruse, and that’s what Borisov must convince Nikolai of. That’s all; I absolutely had to tell you this, and I must—for God’s sake—tell you.

Vatican Representative: No, not here—only… Who’s coming… the president in May, and we’ll be meeting with them.
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