Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

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.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Yellow code for dangerous rainfall in 13 regions of northern and eastern Bulgaria

On Thursday morning the rain will stop. Minimum temperatures will be between 8 and 13°C, in Sofia - 9°C. During the day, before noon, the rain will resume - more intense in the north of the country, where there will be thunderstorms and conditions for..

published on 5/7/25 7:05 PM
Solemn performance of the European anthem during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, European Parliament, Strasbourg

Renew Europe calls for investigation of ties between MEPs of Bulgaria's Vazrazhdane party with United Russia

The agreement between Bulgaria's political party "Vazrazhdane" (Revival) and "United Russia" has raised questions and reactions, reaching the plenary hall of the European Parliament today . In addition to the Greens Group in the EP, Valérie Hayer, Chair..

published on 5/7/25 6:35 PM
Presidents Radev (L), Duda in Sofia, May 7 2025.

Andrzej Duda: NATO countries should allocate 3% of GDP to defence

Polish President Andrzej Duda, on an official visit to Bulgaria, discussed with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev Warsaw’s proposal that NATO member states allocate 3% of their gross domestic product to defence spending . He described the target as..

published on 5/7/25 4:15 PM