His All Holiness Maxim of Bulgaria died early on Tuesday at the age of 98. Photo by BGNES
The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church will hold an emergency meeting following news of the death of Patriarch Maxim.
Patriarch Maxim died shortly before 4 am on Tuesday after spending a month in the Governmental Hospital in Sofia including several days on life support.
His All Holiness Maxim of Bulgaria turned 98 on October 29, 2012 but his fragile health prevented him from honoring a holy icon that was recently brought to Bulgaria from Mount Athos.
Metropolitan bishop of Sliven Joanikii told the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) that the emergency meeting of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church would be held in line with its Statute to discuss the funeral service for Patriarch Maxim.