The reaction of both the Patriarchate of Bulgaria (through the Holy Synod) and Patriarch Daniel was intense regarding the decision of the country’s judicial authorities to grant other religious organizations, such as the Old Calendarists, the right to use the title “Orthodox Church.”
This decision by the Bulgarian Supreme Court, which effectively allows another jurisdiction to register under the name “Orthodox Church,” was issued shortly before the end of the previous year.
In an interview with local media, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria emphasized that this decision permits the overlap and interference of legal entities, and consequently, the blending of religious institutions within society. This, he warned, leads to confusion among the faithful. The Old Calendarist Church claims to represent Orthodox Christianity in Bulgaria. Their separation from the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) three decades ago stemmed from their belief that the BOC had ceased to be a true representative of the Orthodox faith.
Patriarch Daniel clarified that the country’s authorities have established by law that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Patriarchate of Bulgaria is the recognized expression of the Orthodox confession in Bulgaria.
“On the other hand,” he noted, “the Supreme Court of Cassation, as a state authority, recognizes another entity as an expression of this faith. This group denies the possibility of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church being a representative of the Orthodox faith and declares itself as such. You can imagine the confusion this decision will cause among the people.”
He further warned that this development opens the door for numerous such religious groups to register. “Eventually, these groups will seek equality with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in their interactions with state institutions, for example, during the blessing of battle flags on January 6. Through this decision by the Supreme Court of Cassation, the state itself falls into confusion, unable to distinguish which of these registered groups is the true Orthodox Church—the very role that the state has defined and enshrined in legislation.”
Patriarch Daniel expressed concern that the court’s decision paves the way for significant divisions in society, which could prove disastrous.
Holy Synod: Canon Law and the Constitution Are Violated
The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church also reacted promptly, issuing a statement warning of the dangers posed by this decision, arguing that it violates both the Canon Law of the Church and the country’s Constitution.
“During the Christmas fast, our joy was overshadowed by the unexpected and saddening news of this court ruling. After the Holy Church in Bulgaria endured over two decades of a regrettable schism inspired by political motives (1991–1998–2009), which was eventually overcome through joint efforts of the Church and legislative, executive, and judicial authorities, we now face the risk of new divisions. The identity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Patriarchate of Bulgaria (BOC-BP) is once again being questioned. Today, we face the prospect of numerous organizations claiming to be ‘Orthodox Churches.’”
The Holy Synod underscored that the institutional representative of the traditional Eastern Orthodox faith in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate.
“The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is the expression of the traditional Eastern Orthodox faith, so deeply intertwined with the lifestyle, spirituality, culture, and psyche of the Bulgarian people that it has become a natural legal entity,” the Synod stated.
It reminded that Article 13 of the country’s Constitution recognizes the traditional religion in Bulgaria as Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Additionally, Article 10 of the Law on Religious Denominations establishes the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate as the representative of traditional Eastern Orthodoxy.
The Bulgarian Patriarchate emphasized that a fundamental principle of Church law is that in any given territory, there can be only one Church, with one Primate and one Holy Synod.
“The parallel exercise of jurisdictional authority by multiple bishops in the same territory within a Local Church (overlapping jurisdictions) is a flagrant violation of the divine and sacred canons established and ratified by the Ecumenical Councils.
The recognition and registration by judicial authorities of another (second) parallel ‘Orthodox Church’ within the borders of the Bulgarian state is entirely contrary to this canonical principle and violates the religious sentiments, beliefs, and rights of Orthodox Christians in the country by undermining their right to religious self-determination, just as it does the Orthodox Church itself.”
The statement continued, “The contested decision argues that the difference in ‘calendar’ is a ‘doctrinal’ difference. However, if the organization ‘Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendarist Church,’ which seeks registration, is different in doctrinal terms, then it cannot use the term ‘Orthodox’ in its designation or name. Therefore, it is either a non-Orthodox church and has every right to register as such, or it must accept that it is Orthodox and thereby an integral part of the united and unique Bulgarian Orthodox Church – the Bulgarian Patriarchate.
We must stress that the use of different calendars is not a doctrinal issue. Evidence of this is that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate is in full Eucharistic and canonical communion with many Local Orthodox Churches, where divine services are conducted based on the old calendar (Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Serbian Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church, etc.). Moreover, within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church itself, there are parishes where, with the blessing of the respective diocesan bishops, divine services are conducted according to the old calendar.
The exclusivity of the name and its precise formulation – ‘Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate’ – arises from the essence of the Church and reflects the fundamental question for every Local Orthodox Church: recognition by other Local Churches worldwide.
The violation of these fundamental canonical and legal principles through the creation of parallel ‘Orthodox Churches’ leads to the erosion of the Church and the undermining of its institutional foundations, thereby affecting the peace and unity of the majority of the Bulgarian people. We believe and are confident that with God’s help, this grave canonical and legal issue will be resolved.”
