August 6, 2026
Sts. Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian Orthodox Cathedral in New York. Photo: Facebook—Bulgarian Orthodox Cathedral NYC
Clergy and faithful of the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese in the USA, Canada, and Australia have issued a public address defending His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria against public statements made by Archimandrite Nicanor (Mishkov), who was suspended by Pat. Daniil last month.
The diaspora address follows similar expressions of support for the Patriarch from clergy of the Sofia Diocese and the Bulgarian Holy Synod.
As previously reported, Patriarch Daniil suspended Archimandrite Nicanor on July 28 for conduct incompatible with priestly rank and monastic vows of obedience, and for undermining the authority of the Church. The suspension followed a petition from clergy and laity of the Sofia Diocese, and an ecclesiastical disciplinary case has since been opened against Archimandrite Nicanor at the Sofia Diocesan Court. Archimandrite Nicanor had also recently concelebrated with clergy of the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
In their address, dated July 30, the clergy and faithful of the diaspora diocese recall that Patriarch Daniil served for seven years as Auxiliary Bishop of their diocese, during which time they came to know him as “a man of sincere prayer, humility, meekness, and unwavering faithfulness to the Holy Orthodox Church.”
The diaspora clergy state that Archimandrite Nicanor’s public statements against the Patriarch “extend far beyond the bounds of legitimate personal disagreement or good-faith ecclesiastical criticism,” containing “insulting characterizations, factually false assertions, defamatory insinuations, sarcastic remarks, and open disrespect toward the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.”
They further assert that the statements reveal “a sustained, deliberate, and consistent pattern of public conduct” rather than isolated remarks, and say the resulting controversy has caused distress and confusion even among their own parishes, far from Bulgaria.
The address states plainly: “His Holiness Daniil, Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia, enjoys our complete confidence, profound respect, and filial love.”
The diaspora clergy call on Archimandrite Nicanor “to cease his language of insult and public confrontation” and to seek “repentance, ecclesiastical obedience, and reconciliation.” They also appeal to the wider clergy and faithful “not to yield to words or influences that foster hostility and division.”
The address closes with prayers for the Patriarch’s health and for unity within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
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