The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has spoken out against the holding of "Sofia Pride 2026"

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church—Bulgarian Patriarchate issued a statement regarding “Sofia Pride 2026,” expressing its disagreement with the event’s ideas and messages. In the statement, the church emphasized its position on the importance of the traditional family, Christian moral values, and the upbringing of children, while also stating that it does not reject anyone and continues to pray for everyone.

According to the “Zivot Tsrkve” portal , citing the Bulgarian Patriarchate, the Holy Synod stated that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church “does not approve of and opposes” the holding of “Sofia Pride 2026.” The document states that the church considers caring for the spiritual health of the people, the future of children, and the preservation of Christian values to be an integral part of its ministry.

The Synod’s statement notes that, according to Orthodox teaching, human beings were created by God as male and female, and the family, based on the marital union of a man and a woman, is understood as a natural and God-given environment for life, love, the birth, and upbringing of children. Church representatives expressed concern that, in their view, certain behavioral models that do not correspond to Christian moral teaching are being presented to society as an alternative to the traditional way of life.

The appeal pays special attention to children and youth. The Synod called on parents to be attentive to the spiritual and moral upbringing of their children, helping them to form value systems based on responsibility, truth, and respect for human dignity. The text also includes a Gospel passage about temptations, which the authors of the statement link to the need to protect the younger generation from what they consider to be contradictory social messages.

At the same time, the document emphasizes that the church, while criticizing the event and the ideas it promotes, “rejects no one” and maintains a pastoral attitude toward all people, including the organizers and participants of the event. The Synod stated that it is obliged to clearly bear witness to the truth of the Gospel and to warn believers about what it considers to be spiritual error.

The Holy Synod also appealed to state institutions, civil society organizations, and society at large, calling on them to promote the strengthening of marriage and the family, support the moral foundations of the nation, and preserve the spiritual and cultural values with which the Church associates the historical development of Bulgarian statehood.

The statement also notes that on June 14, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Week of All Bulgarian Saints. In this regard, the Synod called on the faithful to remember the spiritual heritage of the Bulgarian saints, their faithfulness to Christ, and their example of Christian life. Concluding the appeal, church representatives called for prayers for peace, spiritual sobriety, national unity, the strengthening of families, and the protection of children and youth.