The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has denied rumors of an incident involving the Russian ambassador during the Liturgy

The Sofia Metropolis of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has officially denied reports by several media outlets that Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria interrupted the Divine Liturgy at the “Holy Week” due to protest shouts directed at Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova. According to an official statement published on the Glasove website ( ), the information about the disturbances is untrue.

It is reported that the rumors were sparked by Ambassador Mitrofanova’s visit to the cathedral to venerate the miraculous Hawaiian Myrrh-Gushing Icon of the Mother of God. Claims have appeared on several social media platforms and online publications that those present expressed dissatisfaction with her visit, shouting slogans such as “This isn’t Moscow.”

The Metropolis explained that during the morning service preceding the Liturgy, there was noise and a crush due to the large influx of believers wishing to venerate the holy icon. Patriarch Daniel twice called on those present to maintain silence and order to ensure that the service could proceed in a reverent manner. After that, the service continued as usual without any interruptions.

As a reminder, we previously reported that clergy of the Sofia Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church officially expressed their support for Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel, condemning the actions of Archimandrite Nikanor (Mishkov).