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 Diocese of Sliven has a new Metropolitan, in front of the Synod he was greeted with exclamations "Unworthy"

In the centuries-old tradition of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the laity have always greeted the new cleric or bishop with exclamations of "worthy". In this way they express their respect and hope that he will wisely lead the congregation to spiritual..

published on 5/27/24 4:23 PM

Tsar Ferdinand’s remains to be transported to Sofia

On May 29, the remains of Tsar Ferdinand will be transported from the city of Coburg to Sofia by military plane, which will land at the government VIP terminal of Sofia Airport around 2:00 PM. The coffin will be solemnly taken down and placed in a..

published on 5/27/24 8:53 AM

When was the Glagolitic alphabet created?

Is the Slavic alphabet Bulgarian? With the different interpretations of the historical facts taken out of the specific context, more and more often we can read that the brothers Cyril and Methodius from Thessaloniki..

published on 5/24/24 5:15 AM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 9 | Max: 22

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

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

The Diocese of Sliven has a new Metropolitan, in front of the Synod he was greeted with exclamations "Unworthy"

In the centuries-old tradition of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the laity have always greeted the new cleric or bishop with exclamations of "worthy". In..

published on 5/27/24 4:23 PM

Share

164 years ago in Constantinople the Bulgarian Church proclaimed its independence

More from category

The Diocese of Sliven has a new Metropolitan, in front of the Synod he was greeted with exclamations "Unworthy"

Tsar Ferdinand’s remains to be transported to Sofia

When was the Glagolitic alphabet created?

The Diocese of Sliven has a new Metropolitan, in front of the Synod he was greeted with exclamations "Unworthy"