Neophyte, Metropolitan of Rousse, is the most probable candidate for the post of the Patriarch of All Bulgaria.
The Holy Synod of Bulgaria failed to elect a new Orthodox patriarch on Saturday. The Holy Synod is unable to choose two of the three shortlisted candidates for the post.
On Friday, Stara Zagora bishop Galaktion became the first candidate named by the Holy Synod. He is still the only nominee who have garnered 10 Holy votes, a necessary requirement for reaching the final round of the election.
Metropolitan of Russe Neophyte and Gavriil of Lovech currently have 9 votes each, with no Holy Synod members appearing likely to change their minds, bishop Yosif, the Metropolitan of America, Canada and Australia, told reporters.
The deadline for naming the remaining two candidates expires at midnight.
“If we do not succeed by midnight, we do not know what is going to happen next,” Yosif said, as cited by Dnevnik.bg.
The new Bulgarian patriarch will be chosen at a national church council the following Sunday, February 24.
Source: StandartNews
