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The Bulgarian Patriarch has appointed priests to serve in the Russian Church

Руската църква "Св. Николай Мирликийски"
Photo: BGNES

Bulgarian Patriarch Neophite has appointed priests who will serve in the St. Nicholas the Wonderworker temple in Sofia, known as the Russian Church, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church said. As before, the faithful will be able to venerate the relics of St Seraphim of Sofia and ask for his support.

The church was closed a few days ago after its three priests were expelled for spying for Russia.
Patriarch Neophite has informed Russian Patriarch Kirill of the appointments by letter. He also expects the Russian embassy in Bulgaria to assist in reopening the temple. 

All other issues of a secular, legal and administrative nature, related to the case concerning the Russian Church, will be discussed at the regular meeting of the Synod, the message stressed. 

According to BNR, Bulgarian Ambassador to Moscow Atanas Kristin was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry today in connection with the expulsion of the three representatives of the Russian Church.

In a conversation with representatives of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov expressed the readiness of the state to assist in the restoration of services in the church, if this is within its powers and the governing body of the church deems it necessary.


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