Text size

164 years ago in Constantinople the Bulgarian Church proclaimed its independence

published on 4/3/24 11:19 AM

Metropolitan Hilarion of Makariopolis (1812-1875).

Photo: Archive

On 3 April 1860, during the solemn Easter service in the Bulgarian St Stephen's Church in Istanbul, Metropolitan Hilarion of Makariopolis intentionally did not mention the name of the Ecumenical Greek Patriarch. Instead of the name of Patriarch Cyril VII, he said "blessed be Sultan Abdul Majid and all Orthodox bishops" - a formula that can only be uttered by the primate of an autocephalous church.

With this act, the Bulgarian ecclesiastical community in the capital of the Ottoman Empire proclaimed that it did not recognise the spiritual authority of the Fener Greek Patriarchate and declared the independence of the Bulgarian Church.

After 10 years of diplomatic manoeuvring, this act of disobedience at Easter ended with the establishment of the Bulgarian Exarchate. It was much later, in 1945, that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church was recognised as equal to the other churches.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria History and religion church hilarion of makariopolis independence orthodox

More from category

The World of the Thracians - a theme park for ancient history lovers

In the Valley of the Thracian Kings near the village of Shipka, where the most important burial tombs of the rulers of the ancient Thracian kingdom of the Odrysians, Kazanlak Municipality has opened the theme park "The World of the Thracians". The..

published on 5/7/24 3:05 PM

Easter Monday marks the beginning of the Bright Week

The second day of the Ressurection of Christ (Easter Monday) marks the beginning of the Bright Week, also known as Pascha Week and Renewal Week. The week is called bright, because the Resurrection of Christ symbolizes enlightenment. During the Bright..

published on 5/6/24 10:57 AM

Company 4093 – Bulgarian emigrants create a special military unit beyond the Iron Curtain

The Bulgarian National Emigrant Volunteer Company 4093 was established on October 20, 1951, as part of the U.S. Armed Forces in West Germany. This was not an easy process, but it shows that there was a significant number of compatriots who disagreed..

published on 5/6/24 7:10 AM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 12 | Max: 23

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

Lessons from Bulgaria - How a military coup did not lead to "national restoration"?

Ninety years ago, on 19 May 1934, the Zveno political movement and the Military League staged a bloodless coup in Bulgaria. In the name of modernising the..

published on 5/19/24 7:05 AM

Share