The Assembly of Academics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) has expressed its steadfast support for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate in response to recent judicial decisions regarding the use of the title “Orthodox Church” by other religious organizations, including Old Calendarist groups.
In a strongly worded statement, the Assembly condemned the decision, calling it misleading and uncanonical. They warned that the creation of such parallel institutions poses a serious threat to the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and undermines the national and constitutional identity of Bulgaria.
The statement emphasized that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is “an integral member of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, maintaining canonical and doctrinal unity with Orthodox Churches worldwide.” It further noted that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate is the only recognized Orthodox Church in Bulgaria, in accordance with both ecclesiastical canon law and Article 13, Paragraph 3 of the Bulgarian Constitution.
Described as “integral and indivisible,” the Church is acknowledged for its historical role in preserving the spiritual and national identity of Bulgarians, both domestically and in the diaspora. The statement highlighted the Church’s unique status as “a divine-human institution, governed not only by human laws but also by the sacred canons of faith, reflecting divine order.”
The BAS Assembly called on all institutions to refrain from supporting actions that threaten the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, as well as the nation’s fundamental values, societal stability, and legal security. They underscored that the Church serves as “a cornerstone of Bulgarian identity” and deserves protection and respect.
In the context of the Assembly’s decision, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel welcomed Evelina Slavcheva, Corresponding Member and President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), at the Synodal Palace. During their meeting, the critical role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) and BAS in strengthening the faith and spirituality of the Bulgarian people was highlighted. Both parties expressed hope for the continuation of their existing collaboration and committed to pursuing joint initiatives in the fields of science and spirituality.
Patriarch Daniel thanked President Slavcheva, and through her, the entire scientific community of BAS, for their recent letter supporting the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate in light of the controversy surrounding the attempted registration of a second, parallel Orthodox Church.
At the conclusion of the meeting, symbolic gifts were exchanged. President Slavcheva presented Patriarch Daniel with copies of significant historical documents from the personal archive of Metropolitan Clement (Vasil Drumev), one of the founding members of BAS. These documents are preserved in the BAS Scientific Archive. In return, Patriarch Daniel gifted President Slavcheva commemorative coins featuring images of Bulgaria’s miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary, as well as a copy of the book “The Civil-Legal Status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church” by Associate Professor Maria Kyoseva.
Meeting Between Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel and Parliament Speaker Natalia Kiselova Focuses on Religious Legislation Amendments
A significant meeting took place yesterday at the Holy Synod headquarters between Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, the Metropolitans of the Holy Synod, and Associate Professor Natalia Kiselova, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. Initiated by Speaker Kiselova, the meeting addressed proposed amendments to the Law on Religious Denominations, prompted by the recent attempt to register a second, parallel Orthodox Church in Bulgaria.
During the meeting, Speaker Kiselova briefed the Patriarch and the Metropolitans on the legislative proposals introduced by parliamentary groups from GERB-SDS, Vazrazhdane, and BSP-United Left. She assured the Holy Synod of the sincere intention of lawmakers to protect the legal status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate (BPC-BP), which is constitutionally recognized as the traditional religious denomination in Bulgaria. The discussion emphasized the critical importance of maintaining the unity of the BPC-BP as the sole representative of Eastern Orthodoxy in the country.
Patriarch Daniel expressed the Holy Synod’s gratitude for the efforts of the Bulgarian Parliament and the government in addressing this crucial issue, which has significant implications for the unity of Bulgarian society. He further highlighted the remarkable political consensus observed among different political factions, as well as the formation of a supra-constitutional majority during the first reading of the proposed amendments to the Law on Religious Denominations.
Armenian Apostolic Church sents letter of support
Bishop Datev Agopyan of the Armenian Apostolic Church addressed a letter to Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel and the Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly, expressing support for the canonical and exclusive status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate. With the blessing of Catholicos Karekin II, the letter emphasized the historic friendship and close ties between the two churches.
The bishop affirmed support for proposed amendments to Bulgaria’s Law on Religious Denominations, which recognize the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as the sole representative of the traditional Eastern Orthodox faith, as stipulated by the Bulgarian Constitution and Article 10 of the Law on Religious Denominations.
Bishop Agopyan reassured that these legislative changes would not affect the status of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Bulgaria, as the Armenian Church does not claim to represent the traditional Orthodox faith in the constitutional sense.
The letter concludes with prayers and blessings, underlining the Armenian Church’s respect for the unity and status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as a cornerstone of Bulgarian religious tradition.
PM of Bulgaria: The Orthodox Church of Bulgaria is the representative of the traditional faith in our country
It is worth noting that Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glafchev on January 8, 2025, to discuss the contentious issue of the attempted registration of the “Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church.” During the meeting, the Prime Minister reiterated his unwavering opposition to the registration, emphasizing that the government’s position remains unchanged. He also reminded attendees that the Council of Ministers has repeatedly expressed a clear stance on this matter.
The Patriarchate of Bulgaria, led by Patriarch Daniel, has strongly reacted to the recent judicial decision allowing other religious organizations, including Old Calendarist groups, to use the title “Orthodox Church.” This ruling by the Supreme Court of Bulgaria, which effectively permits the registration of another denomination under the name “Orthodox Church,” was issued just before the end of the previous year and has been met with significant criticism.
The Patriarchate has characterized this decision as a serious threat to the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and a direct challenge to its historical and constitutional status as the sole representative of Eastern Orthodoxy in the country. Patriarch Daniel has been vocal in opposing this development, highlighting its potential to create division within Bulgarian society and undermine the Church’s foundational role in preserving the nation’s spiritual and cultural identity.
Photos: Bulgarian Patriarchate
