On 10 May, 1953, the third ecclesiastical and national council in Sofia declared the Bulgarian Orthodox church a Patriarchate - from an Exarchate.
The Metropolitan Bishop of Plovdiv Cyril was elected patriarch after a 560-year break. In the years that followed, the Bulgarian Patriarchate was recognized by all Orthodox churches. On 27 July, 1961, the Patriarchate of Constantinople also officially recognized the Patriarchate of Bulgaria.
After the fall of Tarnovo under Ottoman rule in 1393, the independent Bulgarian church was done away with and was subordinate to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. It was only in 1870 that Sultan Abdulaziz, under pressure by the Bulgarians, signed a firman on the establishment of a Bulgarian Exarchate and the independent Bulgarian church was restored.
Photos: Bulgarian Patriarchate, BTA
In the secular chronicles of post-liberation Bulgaria, Metropolitan Kliment of Tarnovo is known as Vasil Drumev – a notable writer and public figure, he led an exceptionally spiritual, Christian life. For linguists, he is among the brightest zealots of..
On December 9 the Orthodox Church celebrates the Conception of the Most Holly Theotokos by Saint Anne. Joachim and Anne were childless for a long time despite their righteous life. In addition to their personal grief, they also endured public..
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on December 6. He is called the saint of mercy because his entire life was dedicated to supporting the poor, the suffering, the innocent and the wronged. His words had an..
Fog
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy