Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Bulgarian community in Istanbul ahead of his visit to Bulgaria

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople celebrated a divine service at the Church of St. John of Rila in Istanbul, emphasizing the unbreakable spiritual bond between the Orthodox Churches of Constantinople and Bulgaria. According to Orthodox Times, the Head of the Phanar announced his official visit to Bulgaria, scheduled for October 2026.

During his address to the faithful, Patriarch Bartholomew stated that the upcoming trip is timed to coincide with the celebration of the 1,150th anniversary of the birth and the 1,080th anniversary of the repose of St. John of Rila. According to the head of the Phanar, this visit will serve as a testament to the deep veneration of the saint, whose deeds have been a source of sanctification not only for the Bulgarian people but also for the entire Orthodox world.

The Patriarch described the relationship between the two Churches as “bonds of blood and spirit.” He particularly noted his warm personal relationship with Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel, recalling his recent visit to the island of Imbros. Bartholomew emphasized that “ ”the Church of Constantinople, as the Mother Church, consistently works to preserve the language, liturgical traditions, and cultural heritage of all peoples under its care, including the Bulgarian community in Istanbul.”

As a reminder, we previously reported that the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church had officially invited Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Bulgaria in October of this year.