"Anaxios!": Patriarch Bartholomew's Visit to Bulgaria Is Met with Protests by Believers of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

The visit of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to Bulgaria is taking place amid serious public controversy and protests. Members of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church have expressed their opposition to the visit of the head of the Phanar, accusing him of deviating from church traditions, promoting ecumenism, and making a controversial decision regarding the recognition of the OCU. According to Helleniscope, protests accompanied the Patriarch’s arrival at the Synodal Chamber building in Sofia, where the crowd chanted “Anaxios!” (unworthy), demonstrating their rejection of his actions.

Despite the official nature of the visit, timed to coincide with the commemoration of St. John of Rila, a significant portion of the Bulgarian clergy and laity opposed Patriarch Bartholomew’s participation in the upcoming Divine Liturgy at the Rila Monastery. An online petition demanding a review of the visit’s format gathered more than 2,300 signatures, and the petition itself was officially submitted to the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as early as September 30.

During his meetings with Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel, Patriarch Bartholomew called for peace and church unity. On Sunday, October 18, the hierarchs jointly attended the Divine Liturgy at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral; however, they did not preside over the service themselves, limiting their participation to prayer. Nevertheless, the key event remains the joint Divine Liturgy scheduled for October 19 at the Rila Monastery. For the protesters, this monastery is a symbol of the country’s spiritual heritage, and a joint service with Bartholomew is perceived by them as a violation of tradition.