Sofia, February 11, 2026
Photo: bta.bg
The Consulate of the Republic of Bulgaria in Edinburgh has announced the return to Bulgarian custody of a 19th-century liturgical book of significant historical and ecclesiastical value. The book, a Typikon, had left Bulgaria by an unknown route and was received by the consulate as a donation.
According to the official statement, the consulate undertook all necessary steps to ensure the artifact’s prompt return to Bulgaria. The book has been transferred to the competent authorities in Sofia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, where specialists will assess its condition. Following expert evaluation, the Typikon is expected to be placed in an appropriate center of Bulgarian spiritual life.
The Typikon is a foundational liturgical book of the Orthodox Church, establishing the order, rules, and sequence of Divine services throughout the ecclesiastical year. It regulates daily services such as Vespers, Matins, and the Hours; provides directives for major feasts; explains how services are combined when feasts coincide; sets out fasting rules and liturgical particularities; and gives instructions for clergy and chanters. Through these prescriptions, the Typikon ensures a unified and established order of worship across the Orthodox Church and serves as a practical manual for priests and church singers.
The returned volume bears was blessed by prominent Bulgarian Orthodox hierarchs of the 19th century, including Gregory of Dorostol and Cherven, Dositei of Samokov, and Konstantin of Vratsa.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe and Gab!
