Bulgaria's Orthodox Church elects new head with pro-Russian views
Bulgaria's Orthodox Church has elected Daniil, a 52-year-old considered to be pro-Russian, as its new leader in a vote that reflected the divisions in the church and wider society since Russian invaded Ukraine more than two years ago.
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00:00Bulgaria's Orthodox Church is raising eyebrows after electing a pro-Russian clergyman as
00:06its new head.
00:0752-year-old Danil was elected as Patriarch in a vote that reflects divisions within the
00:13Bulgarian Orthodox Church since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
00:18Pro- and anti-Russian factions have been butting heads within the senior Bulgarian clergy since
00:222019, after the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarch
00:29in Constantinople.
00:30Unlike his predecessor, Danil has taken the side of the Moscow Patriarchy in its dispute
00:35with the Ecumenical Patriarch over the independence of Ukraine's Orthodox Church.
00:59The Ecumenical Patriarch is regarded as the representative and spiritual leader of Eastern
01:11Orthodox Christians worldwide.
01:14His move formalized the split of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine from the Russian Church.
01:19However, Russian and most other Orthodox Patriarchs refused to accept this.