Bulgarian Orthodox Church calls union with Rome "disgraceful”

The Synod building of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church believes that union with the Vatican, to which Bulgarians have been repeatedly urged, would be "disgraceful." This was stated in the Patriarchal and Synodal Epistle of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate.

According to Bulgarian hierarchs, "on the long and thorny historical path," the Bulgarian Orthodox Church faced many trials and temptations, including "numerous attempts to incline toward the disgraceful union with the papacy".

"The Orthodox Bulgarian people, despite all the trials and temptations to which they were subjected, remained faithful to the most important thing: throughout all this time, our spiritual leaders, clergy and monasticism, and all our worthy ancestors remained firm in the Orthodox faith, did not deviate to the left or to the right from the royal path, but preserved the pure “faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3)," emphasized the bishops of the Bulgarian Church.

As previously reported, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church bishop, Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech spoke in support of the UOC.

 

Read also

Spanish court rules Jehovah’s Witnesses may be called a “destructive sect”

A court in Spain has upheld the right of critics of Jehovah’s Witnesses to speak openly about the group’s alleged harmfulness and danger to society.

U.S. startup launches $2-per-minute AI “Jesus” video chat service

An American startup has introduced a video-calling service that allows users to “speak” with an AI-generated image of Christ, offering responses based on biblical texts.

RF courts treat posting 666 number as Satanism propaganda

Users can now face an administrative fine or arrest for posting the “number of the beast” or pentagrams on social media.

Orthodox priest in Germany says Germans are finding truth in Orthodoxy

A priest of the Orthodox Church in Germany has said that growing numbers of Germans are turning to the faith in search of clear spiritual guidance and a fuller church life.

RomOC to celebrate Synaxis of Holy Romanian Women for the first time

The Romanian Orthodox Church will mark the Synaxis of Holy Romanian Women for the first time after the canonization of 16 saints in 2025.

Antiochian Patriarch discusses peace and future of Christians with Turkish officials

During a visit to Antioch, Patriarch John X discussed with Turkish authorities the region’s recovery, support for Orthodox communities, and the preservation of a Christian presence.