Metropolitan Philaret of Loveč as an interim governor of the Ohrid-Bitola Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (1941 – 1944)

Metropolitan Philaret of Loveč was among the synodal bishops entrusted with the administration of the dioceses rejoined to the Bulgarian Church in April 1941. The Metropolitan was appointed to rule the Ohrid-Bitola Diocese. By accepting his new appointment, he distinguished himself behaving with tact and moderation, showed understanding and sensitivity for the local Bulgarians’ pains and aspirations. At the beginning of September 1944, together with the state administration and military units, Bulgarian ecclesiastical authorities were forced to withdraw from the newly liberated lands. Before leaving his position, Philaret of Loveč manifested responsibility and took care of church matters that his diocese in charge did not fall into chaos due to the looming lawlessness.