Breaking News: Bulgaria Recognizes Second Orthodox Church Amid Decade-Long Legal Battle
In a decision that has stirred up decades-old religious controversy, Bulgaria’s Supreme Cassation Court (VKС) has registered the Bulgarian Old Rite Orthodox Church (BPOOC) on December 16, following a more than 10-year legal saga. Despite fears of a religious schism, the court has reassured that the BPOOC has no aspirations towards the Bulgarian Patriarchal Church (BPC) and its immense religious and historical significance.
A Fracture Over Time
The BPOOC traces its origins back to 1968 when a group of clergy led by two archimandrites resisted the BPC’s adoption of the New Julian Calendar. Despite persecution under communism, the movement persevered and resurfaced after the fall of the regime. In 1990, the group was formally seceded from the BPC due to its disagreement with the Calendar reform.
In 2011, the Old Rite faithful took their institutionalization battle to the Bulgarian legal system, filing a registration request with Sofia City Court. However, they faced opposition from the Ministry of Justice’s Directorate for Religious Denominations, citing constitutional and legal prohibitions against registering a second Orthodox Church.
The case escalated to the BPC, which argued that only it could rightfully use the title "Orthodox" in Bulgaria and represent Eastern Orthodox Christianity. A compromise was proposed – the BPOOC could register, but without the word "Orthodox" in its name.
ECHR Intervenes
Unhappy with the compromise, the Old Rite faithful appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which ruled in their favor in 2023. The Court emphasized the principle of religious pluralism and the state’s duty to remain neutral and unbiased when dealing with different religious groups.
VKС endorsed the ECHR’s decision, stating that registering the BPOOC would not infringe upon the BPC’s rights. In its final ruling, VKС reiterated the BPC’s immense historical, national, and cultural contributions while acknowledging the BPOOC’s right to exist and practice its faith, as it poses no threat to the BPC.
Tensions Flaring Again
Currently, Bulgaria has 70 registered religions with places of worship, with the overwhelming majority being Christian denominations. The BPC and the "True Orthodox Church of Bulgaria" (with two churches in Plovdiv) are the only entities using "Orthodox" in their names.
Data from the Ministry of Justice’s Religious Denominations Directorate shows that the BPOOC has 15 registered churches and one nunnery with around 60 monks, making it a significant religious force in Bulgaria. With its registration now final, it remains to be seen whether the BPOOC’s recognition will lead to further fracturing within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church or promote a culture of religious tolerance and diversity.
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