Bishop took part in orgy

Bulgaria's church authorities have been hit by another scandal.

A bishop has been forced to step down from his post after a video emerged of him taking part in an orgy with four women, reported Britain's Daily Mail.

The man, referred to only as Bishop Boris in Bulgarian media, was filmed at a sex party with four women. The video was leaked online and then to the media.

The former bishop, who headed the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, was forced to leave after being found guilty of acts "incompatible with his office", a statement from the Holy Synod, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church's supreme clerical body, said.

The former church leader, who was known for his love of cars, women and fine wine, risks excommunication.

GAY ORGIES

The case must now be examined by the ecclesiastical court.

The report also said that the Holy Synod is expected to rule on the case of the monastery of Troyan, central Bulgaria, where the monks were caught having gay orgies.

Bishop Boris headed Bachkovski Monastery, which is located about 190km from the Bulgarian capital Sofia. It is one of the oldest in the country and is considered one of the main tourist attractions in the area, drawing thousands of visitors every year. It was founded in 1083 as a Byzantine Iberian Orthodox monastery.

The report added that the orgy is the latest scandal to hit the Bulgarian church, which counts 80 per cent of the population as followers.

There were revelations last year that senior clergy had been agents of the former communist regime.