Nikolay Surprisingly Attends Bulgarian Holy Synod Sitting

Bulgaria's Plovdiv Metropolitan Nikolay made Monday a surprise appearance at the sitting of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

A rift among the Bishops shook the Holy Synod after Bulgaria's Patriarch Maxim, who led the Church since 1971, passed away on November 6 at the age of 98.

In the aftermath of the Patriarch's death and of the controversial election of Varna Metropolitan Kiril for Sofia Metropolitan and interim Patriarch, Nikolay declared he was withdrawing for 40 days for mourning and would not attend any Holy Synod meetings.

Last Sunday, during his first mass as Sofia Metropolitan, Kiril hinted that those who would miss the Holy Synod's sittings in sign of opposition for his election could face sanctions.

Approached by the media Monday, Nikolay only said he would speak up after the 40-day mourning. He refused to answer if his attendance could be interpreted as reconciliation with the new Holy Synod leadership.

The Holy Synod is discussing details around the election of a new Patriarch, which must be organized not later than six months after Maxim's death, thus the deadline is March 6, 2013.

One day earlier, in an open letter, sent to the media and the Bulgarian Holy Synod, the Plovdiv clergy declared firm support for their Metropolitan, condemning the continuing attacks and pressure on him.