Bulgarian faithful oppose Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to country

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: PAP/EPA/E. Sahin

Laity and clergy of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church have spoken out against a planned visit by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to the Rila Monastery on October 19, 2026, UOJ-Bulgaria reports.

The visit by the Primate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is scheduled to coincide with celebrations marking the 1,150th anniversary of the birth and the 1,080th anniversary of the repose of St. John of Rila the Wonderworker. Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to preside over the festal Divine Liturgy at the monastery, prompting strong opposition from some clergy and faithful.

Opponents of the visit sent an open letter to the Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church demanding that the invitation to the Patriarch of Constantinople be withdrawn immediately. The authors argue that Patriarch Bartholomew’s presence would dishonor the memory of Bulgaria’s most revered saint, and describe the Patriarch as an ecumenist with unfounded claims to the status of an “Eastern pope.”

The faithful’s main concern is that during the service at the Rila Monastery, the Patriarch of Constantinople will commemorate the head of the OCU, which he established and which many Bulgarian clergy regard as a schismatic structure. The OCU has still not been officially recognized by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and clergy warn that the visit could present the Bulgarian Church with a fait accompli on the Ukrainian church issue.

An online petition opposing Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit has also been launched and has already attracted hundreds of signatures. The full text of the appeal is available on the petition website. The signatories insist that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church defend its autonomy and prevent outside geopolitical agendas from being introduced into Bulgaria’s spiritual life.

As the UOJ reported, a Bulgarian Orthodox hierarch sent a letter to a Kyiv court in support of the UOC.

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