| His Holiness Daniil | |
|---|---|
 Daniil in 2024 | |
| Native name | Патриарх Даниил |
| Church | Bulgarian Orthodox Church |
| See | Sofia |
| Installed | 30 June 2024 |
| Predecessor | Neophyte |
| Previous post(s) |
|
| Orders | |
| Rank | Patriarch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Atanas Trendafilov Nikolov (1972-03-02) 2 March 1972 (age 52) Smolyan, Bulgaria |
| Denomination | Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Signature |  |
Patriarch Daniil or Daniel (Bulgarian: Патриарх Даниил; secular name: Atanas Trendafilov Nikolov; Bulgarian: Атанас Трендафилов Николов; born 2 March 1972) is a prelate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, currently serving as Patriarch of All Bulgaria since June 2024. Prior to his election, he was the Metropolitan Bishop of Vidin (2018–2024) and bishop of Dragovitia (2008–2018).
Early life and education
Atanas Trendafilov Nikolov was born on 2 March 1972 in Smolyan in the then People's Republic of Bulgaria. He completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown and later served in the military. In 1996, he began studying English Philology at Sofia University, but the following year he transferred to the Faculty of Theology of the same university, where he graduated in 2002.
Episcopate
On 21 July 2004, Daniel was sent for obedience to the Rozhen Monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On 27 November of the same year he was ordained hieromonk by his diocesan bishop. On 1 June 2006, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. On 20 January 2008, he was consecrated Bishop of Dragovitia and vicar of the diocese of Nevrokop diocese.
On 15 June 2010, Daniel was appointed vicar of the diocese in the US, Canada and Australia of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. On 2 December 2011, the Holy Synod "took note of the letter from Metropolitan Joseph of the USA, Canada and Australia, notifying that permission had been received from the American emigration authorities to fulfill the obedience assigned by the Holy Synod to Bishop Daniel of Dragovitia, who can already leave and take on responsibilities, as metropolitan vicar of the USA, Canada and Australia". He was considered the most likely successor to Metropolitan Joseph Bosakov. On 4 February 2018, he was elected by the Synod to the post of Metropolitan of Vidin. In December 2018, Metropolitan Daniel condemned the Unification Council in Kyiv, calling it uncanonical. In his opinion, the actions of Patriarch Bartholomew are non-canonical, since he encroached on someone else's canonical territory.
Patriarch
After the death of the former Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Neophyte in March 2024 and respective mourning period, then Metropolitan of Vidin, Daniel was one of the three shortlisted candidates to occupy the patriach position together with Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa and Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech. On 30 June 2024, at the patriarchal electoral Church-People's Council in Sofia, Metropolitan Daniel was elected the new Patriarch of Bulgaria, Metropolitan of Sofia.
References
- "Biography of Daniil of Dragovitia".
- "Днес бе ръкоположен нов епископ на БПЦ" (in Bulgarian). Dveri.
- "Решения на Св. Синод от 02. 12. 2011 г". Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- "Болгарский митрополит США, Канады и Австралии решил уйти на покой — Церковно-Научный Центр "Православная Энциклопедия"". Archived from the original on 14 March 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- Панайотова, Д. (4 February 2018). "Каноническият избор на нов Видински митрополит" (in Bulgarian). bg-patriarshia.bg. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- "Митрополит Даниил: Съборът в Украйна е неканоничен". bg-patriarshia.bg. Archived from the original on 19 December 2018.
- "Williams, His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Stafford, (born 20 March 1930), Archbishop of Wellington, (RC), and Metropolitan of New Zealand, 1979–2005, now Emeritus Archbishop", Who's Who, Oxford University Press, 1 December 2007, retrieved 1 July 2024
- "Избран новый Предстоятель Болгарской Православной Церкви". Патриархия.ru. 30 June 2024.
| Heads of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church since 1872 | |
|---|---|
| Exarchs of the Bulgarians (1872–1915) | |
| Vicars – Chairmen of the Holy Synod [bg] (1915–1945) | |
| Exarch of the Bulgarians (1945–1948) | |
| Vicars – Chairmen of the Holy Synod [bg] (1948–1953) | |
| Patriarchs of All Bulgaria (1953–present) | |
