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

The Institute of Agriculture-Kyustendil celebrates the Festival of Agricultural Science with a tasting of new apple varieties

The Institute of Agriculture-Kyustendil will celebrate the Festival of Agricultural Science today with a tasting of new apple varieties and hybrids, the institute’s director, Associate Professor Iliyana Krishkova, told BTA. Farmers will be presented..

published on 10/24/25 7:05 AM

Band of rain to sweep across Bulgaria from west to east

On Friday, morning temperatures will range from 10 to 15°C, with 10°C in Sofia. Rain is expected in the western regions in the early hours. During the day, skies will remain cloudy as rain moves from west to east, gradually easing in the afternoon with..

published on 10/23/25 7:05 PM
Rumen Radev

Bulgaria and Vietnam should capitalise on their strategic geographic positions, says president Radev

Bulgaria and Vietnam should make the most of their strategic geographic positions – Vietnam in Southeast Asia and Bulgaria in Southeast Europe – acting as a gateway for goods and services from Asia to Europe , President Rumen Radev said on Thursday. He..

published on 10/23/25 4:03 PM