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

During Holy Week we remember the last days of the Saviour's life on earth

For the Orthodox Church, the 29th of April marks the beginning of Holy Week - a profound period dedicated to the contemplation of the life of the Saviour and the preparation for the Holy Resurrection. Immediately after the great Christian feast of..

published on 4/29/24 5:55 AM

What do we celebrate on Palm Sunday and what are God's visits in our lives?

"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38). With these enthusiastic exclamations, which the Church recalls on the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, Jesus Christ was..

published on 4/28/24 5:05 AM

Iconographer Ekaterina Titova: "Bulgaria is wonderful! Love it and cherish it!

The tangents between biology and ecclesiastical icon-painting are unknown and incomprehensible to those who are devoted to science. For Ekaterina Titova, a doctor of biological sciences accustomed to approaching everything through logic, religious..

published on 4/27/24 7:15 AM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Partly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 20

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

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

What do we celebrate on Palm Sunday and what are God's visits in our lives?

"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38). With these enthusiastic..

published on 4/28/24 5:05 AM

During Holy Week we remember the last days of the Saviour's life on earth

For the Orthodox Church, the 29th of April marks the beginning of Holy Week - a profound period dedicated to the contemplation of the life of the Saviour..

published on 4/29/24 5:55 AM

Share

164 years ago in Constantinople the Bulgarian Church proclaimed its independence

More from category

During Holy Week we remember the last days of the Saviour's life on earth

What do we celebrate on Palm Sunday and what are God's visits in our lives?

Iconographer Ekaterina Titova: "Bulgaria is wonderful! Love it and cherish it!

What do we celebrate on Palm Sunday and what are God's visits in our lives?

During Holy Week we remember the last days of the Saviour's life on earth