Bishop Pachomius of Branita was elected the new Vidin Metropolitan, reported. He received the unanimous support of everyone in the Holy Synod of our Orthodox Church. Until now, Bishop Pachomius was the first vicar of His Holiness Patriarch Daniil. Last Sunday, the diocesan electoral council in Vidin nominated two worthy bishops for the archpastoral throne - Pachomius and Gerasim.
Before proceeding to the election of the Vidin archpastoral, the Bulgarian Patriarch and the metropolitans of the Holy Synod celebrated Divine Liturgy in the chapel "St. Tsar Boris - Michael the Baptist". The first to cast his vote was the Primate of our Holy Church, His Holiness Patriarch Daniil, the last - the youngest among the bishops - Arseny - of Sliven. "On Our behalf and on behalf of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate, we proclaim His Eminence Bishop Pachomius of Branica as canonical Metropolitan of Vidin," said the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil.
Bishops Pachomius and Gerasim awaited the decision of the Holy Synod in the Cathedral of "St. Alexander Nevsky" and to the sounds of a bell ringing, the newly elected Metropolitan of Vidin entered the Synodal Palace.
"Beloved by the Lord, Vladyka Pachomius, with deep and sincere joy, with fervent prayers to God for you and our entire Holy Orthodox Church, we welcome you and congratulate you on your election as Metropolitan of the Vidin Diocese, near and dear to my heart," said the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil.
"I cannot hide my trepidation and anxiety before the responsibility of accepting the ministry of Metropolitan of Vidin. However, I trust in the words of the Lord: Do not be afraid, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will support you, help you and uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness," said Metropolitan Pachomius of Vidin.
"Be bold, Your Eminence, do with zeal and dedication the work to which God has called you, and He will always support you," said the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil.
Metropolitan Pachomius thanked the congregation and clergy of the Vidin Diocese, who have chosen him as their Bishop. He also thanked the Holy Synod for their support and trust.
"I believe that this is very important, to be close to people, to be able to communicate, to understand their problems and their difficulties. And to give them a spiritual direction to which they can strive, to show them the way to our God Jesus Christ, said Metropolitan Pachomius of Vidin.
The new Metropolitan of Vidin promised to be a follower of his predecessors and to continue renovating the churches in his diocese.
Source: BNT