Sofia, December 31, 2024
Photo: Bulgarian Patriarchate
The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church issued a statement yesterday categorically protesting the legal registration of the schismatic Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Cassation ruled that the schismatic organization is to be entered into the legal registry of religious denominations. The court decision states that the canonical Bulgarian Church has existed for centuries, while the new ruling refers to a group that has existed for 30 years and which neither lays claim to any Bulgarian Patriarchate property nor poses any threat to the rights of the canonical Church.
The Old Calendar group, which consists of 3 bishops, one monastery, and 13 parishes, states that “This registration removes all administrative and legal obstacles that until now have hindered or prevented the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church from carrying out its activities.”
In its statement yesterday, the canonical Bulgarian Synod states that its Christmas joy was clouded by the unexpected news of the Supreme Court’s decision. Bulgaria was previously plagued by a schism that lasted nearly 20 years (1991–2009), and now the Court has created a precedent for the swarming of multiple organizations that claim to be called and to be “orthodox churches,” the Synod laments.
The Bulgarian Patriarchate is undoubtedly the legitimate expression of the Orthodox faith in Bulgaria, and is recognized as such by Bulgarian law, the hierarchs write. And the presence of overlapping jurisdictions is a “gross violation of the divine and sacred canons of the Church.”
The Synod notes that according to the court ruling, the calendrical difference is a “dogmatic” one, but, the hierarchs argue, if the Old Calendar church is dogmatically different, then it can’t be Orthodox. But if the calendar isn’t a dogmatic issue, then the Old Calendar organization should be part of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. Of course, the calendrical issue is not a dogmatic one, the Synod states, as the Bulgarian Church is in communion with several churches that use the Old Calendar, and even within the Bulgarian Church itself there are churches that serve according to the Old Calendar.
The Orthodox Church, founded by Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, exists through true communion in the Lord, the Synod writes. As one unified body, it unites believers across the world in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). The Bulgarian Church, being in full communion with all Local Orthodox Churches, is the sole canonical Orthodox Church in Bulgaria. Just as Christ is one and His sacrifice is unique, there can be only one Orthodox Church in a given territory, offering one holy Eucharist.
Creating parallel “orthodox churches” undermines both Church unity and the faith of Bulgarian Orthodox believers, the Synod warns.
And turning to the people of the Old Calendar church, the Synod writes:
With pain and paternal love in Christ, we call upon you to return to the saving ship of the canonical Bulgarian Orthodox Church-Bulgarian Patriarchate. May the Lord Jesus Christ, born for our salvation, enlighten the minds and hearts of us all, so that we may be bearers, expressers, and messengers of His Heavenly gracious peace, and not sowers of division in these difficult and temptation-filled times in which we live!
Let us also, together with the angelic host, exclaim: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! (Lk. 2:14).
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