Bulgaria’s Orthodox Church elects new pro-Russian patriarch

SOFIA, Bulgaria: Bulgaria´s Orthodox Church on Sunday elected Metropolitan Daniil -- who experts see as pro-Russian in a church traditionally considered very close to Moscow -- as its new leader after Patriarch Neophyte died in March aged 78.

Metropolitan Daniil, 52, won support from 69 out of 138 delegates present at the church council, the Saint Synode announced.

He won in a run-off against Hryhoriy, 50, who was backed by 66 delegates and whom experts consider as more neutral with regard to the Kremlin.

The bells of the imposing golden-domed Alexander Nevski cathedral announced the result with a church procession planned ahead of his enthronement later on Sunday. The Bulgarian patriarch is elected for life unless he himself decides to step down.

Daniil succeeds the charismatic Patriarch Neophyte, who died in March after leading the church for over ten years.

The Bulgarian Christian Orthodox Church, which represents more than two-thirds of the population, usually avoids commenting on current events.