Bulgarian Church reports deepfake featuring its primate to police

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel. Photo: Golosa

On February 11, 2026, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church reported the online spread of an AI-generated fake video featuring Patriarch Daniel, according to the Chancellery of the Sofia Metropolis.

The statement notes that a video is being circulated on Facebook in which the image and voice of the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia, Daniel, have been replaced and presented in a manipulative context. It is emphasized that the BOC Primate has no connection whatsoever to the creation of this clip.

The Metropolis specifically pointed out that Patriarch Daniel does not advertise goods or services in the media or on social networks, and that the content of the circulated video has nothing to do with Orthodox spirituality or the Church’s teaching.

The Sofia Metropolis called on believers and the public not to fall for such manipulations and said that the materials have been forwarded to the competent state authorities for legal assessment.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Bulgaria will allocate 1.5 million euros for building a road to the Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos.

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