In 1945 the schism was lifted and the Patriarch of Constantinople recognised the autocephaly of the Bulgarian Church. In 1950, the Holy Synod adopted a new Statute which paved the way for the restoration of the Patriarchate and in 1953, it elected the Metropolitan of Plovdiv, Cyril, Bulgarian Patriarch. Territory of the Bulgarian Exarchate Until the Balkan Wars 1912/1913, the Bulgarian Exarchate disposed of a total of 23 bishoprics in Bulgaria, most of the Torlak-populated area (in 1878 partly ceded by the Ottoman Empire to Serbia) and the region of Macedonia: Vidin, Vratsa, Nish (till 1878), Lovech, Veliko Tarnovo, Rousse, Silistra, Varna, Preslav, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Pirot (till 1878), Plovdiv, Sofia, Samokov, Kyustendil, Skopje, Debar, Bitola, Ohrid, Veles, Strumitsa and Nevrokop; also it was represented by acting chairmen in charge in eight other bishoprics in the region of Macedonia and the Adrianople Vilayet (Lerin, Edessa, Kostur, Solun, Kukush, Syar, Odrin and Carevo). See also List of Patriarchs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Bulgarian Orthodox Church References Further reading External links History of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church according to the Catholic Encyclopedia (1913). A short history of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church by CNEWA, the papal agency for humanitarian and pastoral support Commemorative coin released for 140 years of the Bulgarian Exarchate The Builders of Modern Bulgaria, Volume 1 Exarchate Macedonian Orthodox Church Exarchate Macedonia under the Ottoman Empire Christianity in the Ottoman Empire Exarchates of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church 1872 establishments in the Ottoman Empire Religious organizations established in 1872 Eastern Orthodox organizations established in the 19th century Bulgarian National Revival