(Source: sofiaecho.com) The Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Metropolitan of Varna, Kiril, has been found dead on a Black Sea beach, the Holy Synod said on July 9 2013, citing official confirmation from local police.
Bulgaria’s Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that it was investigating the “cause and circumstances of death”, but had no reasons to believe foul play was involved.
The body was found at about 8am and was reported to the 112 emergency hotline; the deceased was later identified as Kiril, the prosecution statement said. An autopsy was ordered to establish the cause of death, prosecutors said.
News agency Focus reported, quoting the Varna district prosecutor’s office, that the cause of death was ruled to be drowning.
Kiril was wearing a diving mask and a snorkel. According to Bulgarian National Television, which quoted local residents, he was a good swimmer and was often seen swimming on the beach were his body was found.
Bulgaria’s Holy Synod is expected to meet on July 10 to name an interim metropolitan of Varna, while Bulgarian Orthodox Church Patriarch Neofit cancelled a scheduled trip to Rousse, Bulgarian media reported.