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

Historian Matthew Sears talks about the influence of Thracian heritage on ancient Athens

The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, USA, is hosting a webinar today entitled Who Were the Thracians? Professor of Classical and Ancient History Matthew Sears will discuss the Thracian legacy and its influence on ancient Athens. Sears is the author of..

published on 11/19/24 7:10 AM

Codes of Identity: Exhibition presents Bulgaria's ancient families and the 130-year life of Yoncho Pelovsky

The exhibition "Codes of Identity", which opens today in Sofia, presents ancient Bulgarian lineages that have left a lasting legacy. The venue is the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS) In..

published on 11/14/24 7:45 AM

The tomb of the Thracian king Seuthes III in the Golyamata Kosmatka mound.

20 years ago, archaeologist Georgi Kitov discovered the tomb of King Seuthes III

June 11, 2007 - US President George W. Bush Jr. visits Sofia. According to protocol, the press conference he held for the media took place among the exhibits of the National Archaeological Museum. The official lunch for the guest was later held at the..

published on 11/12/24 6:54 PM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Partly Cloudy
Min: -9 | Max: 5

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

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

St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral celebrates its feast day

The Patriarchal Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky is celebrating its temple feast today. The cathedral, a symbol of the Bulgarian capital, was built "in..

published on 11/23/24 7:05 AM

Share