Vidin, October 6, 2026
Photo: bta.bg
His Eminence Metropolitan Pachomy of Vidin of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is calling on city officials to remove a monument to the pagan goddess Isis that was erected in the center of Vidin.
In an open letter dated October 5 and addressed to Dr. Tsvetan Tsenkov, mayor of Vidin, Metropolitan Pachomy says he was “surprised and saddened” to learn of the monument just as the city prepares to celebrate its heavenly patron, Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, and the 100th anniversary of the cathedral dedicated to him.
The letter was copied to Svetoslav Slavchev, chairman of the Vidin Municipal Council, the citizens of Vidin and the faithful of the Vidin Diocese.
In the letter, the Metropolitan says Vidin is an ancient Christian center with centuries of history and tradition. He writes that putting up an image of a pagan deity in the city’s public space defiles the deeds of the people’s ancestors and their faith in the true God, the Lord Jesus Christ. For the Church, he says, such symbols aren’t merely an artistic question, but a matter of spiritual awareness, historical memory and values.
The letter points to Vidin’s Christian heritage, including the old churches of St. Panteleimon and St. Petka and the cathedral of St. Demetrius, which has stood over the city for more than a century. It also draws a contrast with the day’s other major event: on the day Bulgaria solemnly received the remains of the medieval ruler Tsar Samuel, the letter says, Vidin saw the veneration of a pagan idol contrary to the faith Tsar Samuel fought to establish.
The letter cites Scripture on idolatry, including Christ’s words, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve” (Matt. 4:10), and St. John’s admonition, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).
As archpastor of the diocese, Metropolitan Pachomy expresses his disagreement with the installation of this defiling symbol. He asks God to forgive and enlighten everyone involved and calls for prompt action to review and remove the monument. He also appeals to Orthodox Christians of the diocese to express their position peacefully and with dignity.
The letter closes by saying that for Christians, Light isn’t a mythological image, but Christ, our God.
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