Patriarch Bartholomew Will Visit Bulgaria Despite Protests by the Clergy and Laity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople will pay an official visit to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to mark the 1,150th anniversary of the birth and the 1,080th anniversary of the repose of St. John of Rila. According to the Orthodoxia News Agency, the distinguished guest’s visit is intended to underscore the spiritual unity and significance of the upcoming church celebrations.

The visit’s itinerary, released by the Bulgarian Patriarchate, will begin on October 17. At 5:00 p.m., Patriarch Bartholomew will meet with Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel and members of the Holy Synod in the Synodal Chamber. Later, at 6:00 p.m., the primates will take part in the grand opening of the exhibition “Athos in Sofia,” dedicated to the memory of the Greek artist Eftimios Varlamis, which will take place at the National Palace of Culture with the support of the Metropolis of Sofia and the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The main liturgical events are scheduled for October 18. At 9:30 a.m., a solemn Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be held at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, presided over by the two Patriarchs. After the service, at 12:00 p.m., the primates will perform a memorial service at the grave of the ever-memorable Patriarch Neophytus of Bulgaria.

The visit will culminate on October 19: on this day, a festive concelebrated Patriarchal Divine Liturgy will be held at the Rila Monastery, dedicated to the memory of the heavenly patron of the Bulgarian people—Saint John of Rila.

As a reminder, on September 30, 2026, an open letter was officially submitted to the Secretariat of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) an open letter was officially submitted, protesting the possible joint celebration of the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople within the walls of the Holy Rila Monastery. The document, registered under number 662, expresses the concerns of thousands of believers, including more than 2,100 signatories, among whom are dozens of clergy and monastics.