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

110 years since the test flight of the first Bulgarian aeroplane

On 10 August 1915, the first Bulgarian-built aeroplane took to the skies for a test flight in Bozhurishte. It was designed by inventor Assen Yordanov, whose name still features in the textbooks used to train pilots and engineers today. From an early..

published on 8/10/25 8:50 AM

Exhibition in Sozopol showcases monuments from ancient cities around the Black Sea

A trilingual exhibition titled “Egyptian Cults around the Black Sea” opens today at 6 PM at the Archaeological Museum in Sozopol , according to BNR – Burgas. Part of an international research project, the exhibition is organized by the Institute of..

published on 8/7/25 5:55 PM

The building of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox church

Bulgarian Orthodox Church calls for vigilance against self-proclaimed spiritual leaders

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has issued an official statement on “pagan neo-Hindu propaganda with pseudo-Christian elements”. The bishops of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church call for greater vigilance against “touring gurus, self-proclaimed “spiritual..

published on 8/7/25 10:14 AM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Clear
Min: 17 | Max: 35

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

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

110 years since the test flight of the first Bulgarian aeroplane

On 10 August 1915, the first Bulgarian-built aeroplane took to the skies for a test flight in Bozhurishte. It was designed by inventor Assen Yordanov,..

published on 8/10/25 8:50 AM

Share

164 years ago in Constantinople the Bulgarian Church proclaimed its independence

More from category

110 years since the test flight of the first Bulgarian aeroplane

Exhibition in Sozopol showcases monuments from ancient cities around the Black Sea

Bulgarian Orthodox Church calls for vigilance against self-proclaimed spiritual leaders

110 years since the test flight of the first Bulgarian aeroplane