Believers in Bulgaria are opposing Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to the Rila Monastery

Serious tensions have arisen among Orthodox Christians and the clergy in Bulgaria over Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s plans to visit the country to participate in celebrations commemorating St. John of Rila the Wonderworker. According to and fakti.bg, believers are calling on the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) to withdraw the invitation, fearing ecumenical activities and church-political provocations.

The main reason for the protest is the solemn liturgy scheduled for October 19, which is to be led by Patriarch Bartholomew. In an open letter sent to the Holy Synod, the authors of the appeal emphasize that the presence of the Primate of the Church of Constantinople could desecrate the memory of Bulgaria’s greatest saint. The protesters characterize the patriarch as a figure who holds ecumenical views and express their disagreement with his status in the Orthodox world.

A key source of discontent is the fear that during the divine service at the Rila Monastery, Patriarch Bartholomew will commemorate the hierarchs of the so-called Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Since the Bulgarian Orthodox Church does not officially recognize this organization, believers and many clergy view this as an attempt to present the Bulgarian Church with a fait accompli in resolving the complex Ukrainian church issue.

A large-scale online petition has now been launched in support of the demands of laypeople and monks. Believers insist that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church must defend its autonomy and prevent national spiritual centers from being drawn into foreign geopolitical and ecclesiastical processes.

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.