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

Today Orthodox Christians mark the Assumption of St. Anna

The Bulgarian Orthodox church marks the assumption of St. Anna – the saint who gave birth to Maria, the future mother of Jesus Christ. Christians in Bulgaria mark Day of St. Anne - patron of motherhood St. Anna is considered to be the..

published on 7/25/24 7:55 AM

Archaeologists unearth 17 burial sites in the necropolis of ancient Ratiaria

During rescue excavations, 17 burial facilities were discovered in the necropolis of the Roman colony of Ulpia Ratiaria (near Archar village in the region of Vidin), of which five tombs and 12 pit graves. This was announced by Zdravko..

published on 7/24/24 4:26 PM

Cuman settlement discovered near fortress of Ryahovets in Gorna Oryahovitsa

Archaeologists from the Historical Museum in the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa have discovered a settlement of the Cumans this summer during the excavations of a medieval necropolis east of the Thracian fortress of Rykhovets near the town of Gorna..

published on 7/21/24 11:40 AM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 16 | Max: 29

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

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

Bulgarians mark the Assumption of the Theotokos feast in the old calendar

Today, August 28, Bulgarians in many parts of the country celebrate the Assumption of the Theotokos in the old style calendar along with almost the..

published on 8/28/24 9:01 AM

Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop leads the festive liturgy in town of Delchevo, Republic of Macedonia

This morning, in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the town of Delchevo, in the Republic of Macedonia, His Eminence Metropolitan..

published on 8/28/24 12:18 PM

Share