It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Christo Jivkov, one of the lead actors in the iconic movie “Passion of the Christ.” Jivkov, who portrayed the apostle John, sadly lost his battle with lung cancer at the age of 48.

Jivkov’s death was announced by Red Carpet Films, the independent production company he co-founded. Their Facebook page expressed their sorrow, stating, “Today we lost our beloved friend and dear colleague Christo Jivkov, co-founder of Red Carpet. We are truly devastated by this untimely loss. We will never forget you!”

A founding member of Red Carpet Films, Jivkov played a pivotal role in the success of “Passion of the Christ.” He was scheduled to reprise his role as John in the sequel, “The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection.” Directed and written by Mel Gibson, the movie is currently in pre-production, with Jim Caviezel set to once again star as Jesus.

Upon learning about Jivkov’s passing, Gibson expressed his deep sorrow and paid tribute to his dear friend. He said, “My dear friend Christo has lost his heroic battle with cancer. Right until the end, he remained hopeful and his spirit remained strong. I will miss him, but I take solace in knowing that his suffering is over and he is now at eternal bliss. May God watch over him.”

Gibson previously confirmed that a sequel to “Passion of the Christ” is in the works. In 2022, he mentioned having “two scripts” for the potential film.

However, he admitted that he was grappling with finding a way to make the story resonate with individuals who may not be familiar with the core narrative. The sequel aims to delve into the events between Good Friday, when Jesus is crucified, and Easter Sunday, when He rises from the dead.

Christo Jivkov, born in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1975, leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond his role in “Passion of the Christ.” He is also known for his performances in films such as “The Profession of Arms” and “In Memory of Me.” May he rest in peace.