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

The Minister of Justice: State may take action on closed temple

Атанас Славов
Photo: BGNES

 "It is unacceptable for the Russian state, in the person of Ambassador Mitrofanova, to close a temple, moreover that it is under the jurisdiction of the Bulgarian Patriarch and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church," Bulgaria's Justice Minister wrote on Facebook, adding that "in this way, Ambassador Mitrofanova prevents all of us from offering our prayers and from worshipping the relics of St. Seraphim of Sofia the Wonderworker." This is how Minister Atanas Slavov commented on the Russian Embassy's decision to close the St. Nicholas The Miracle-Maker Church after Sofia expelled three of its priests accused of spying for Moscow. 
Minister Slavov described what happened as "canonical autocracy". He assumed that the state might take measures because of the closed capital church. 
According to Metropolitan Kyprian, Russian Patriarch Kirill, who is about to send a new representative of his church to the country, is likely to decide when the church will be opened. 



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

Christmas town opens in Plovdiv’s central square

Plovdiv will offer concerts, bazaars and an ice park for the Christmas and New Year holidays to its citizens and guests, the municipality has announced. Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov will light the Christmas tree in front of the Plovdiv Municipality..

published on 11/27/25 8:05 AM

Bulgaria faces widespread rain and cooler temperatures

On Thursday, minimum temperatures will range from 3° to 19°C, with eastern areas reaching 15–19°C and Sofia around 6°C. The day will be cloudy with widespread rain. Heavy rainfall is expected in western regions overnight and in central and southern..

published on 11/26/25 7:05 PM

Georg Georgiev: Support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia must continue

“Solutions for achieving peace in Ukraine must be based on fundamental principles of the UN Charter, such as sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.” This was stated by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev at the informal video..

published on 11/26/25 6:41 PM