Title: Bulgaria’s Orthodox Church Divide: A Sordid Tale of Judges and Soros
In a turn of events that has left millions of Bulgarian Orthodox Christians reeling, a three-judge panel at the Supreme Cassation Court (SCP) has thrown open the doors to potential schism within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC). The decision, made just a week before Christmas, allows for the registration of an alternative BOC and, worryingly, any other churches in the future.
The SCP’s Sordid Decision
The SCP’s act is scandalous on two counts. Firstly, it overturns two precedent judgments from the Sofia City Court and the Sofia Appeal Court. While this is not unprecedented, the opacity surrounding the decision’s origins raises eyebrows. Moreover, the SCP’s leadership, under Chairperson Galina Zahаровa, deemed it unnecessary to inform the public or reveal the judges involved in making this monumental decision. Contrast this with the SCP’s usual transparency in public interest cases.
Secondly, and more pertinently, the decision aligns with a broader narrative pushed by radical left-liberal circles attempting to legalize homosexuality and the Istanbul Convention in Bulgaria. The BOC, however, steadfastly maintains that marriage is between a man and a woman, putting it at odds with these progressive agendas.
Soros’ Sinister Shadows
Behind this decision loom the sinister shadows of George Soros and his network. A coterie of Bulgarian judges, lawyers, and NGOs, heavily financed by Soros, have been relentlessly pushing for ‘judicial reform,’ a euphemism for undermining national institutions and traditions. Their ultimate goal? To normalize homosexuality and introduce ‘gender education’ in Bulgaria.
The Judges and Their Agenda
The mastermind behind this strategy, Judge Yonko Grozev, is a case in point. A founding member and former co-chair of the Soros-funded Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, Grozev was appointed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) by former Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov. Significantly, his law office once shared a partner with one of the lawyers involved in the ‘alternative church’ case, Natasha Dobreva.
The other lawyer, Mikhail Ekimdjiev, is a prominent figure in the ‘Argovie’ group, known for its attacks on Bulgaria’s chief prosecutor and the Constitutional Court. He, too, has benefited from Soros’ generosity, working with the Open Society Foundation.
The SCP’s Ominous Silence
Unsurprisingly, Grozev, Dobreva, Ekimdjiev, and other ‘activist’ judges from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) are thrilled with the SCP’s decision. However, the court’s silence on this matter raises grave concerns. Will Chairperson Zaharova or any other SCP judge step forward to justify this controversial ruling?
What Now?
Bulgaria’s Christians, led by Patriarch Daneil, face a daunting challenge: to remain united amidst unprecedented pressure. But where is the state? Where are the political parties? They, too, must act swiftly to protect the BOC with urgent legislative amendments.
This decision isn’t just about churches; it’s about Bulgaria’s future. It’s about standing up to foreign influence, upholding traditional values, and preserving national identity. The time for silence is over; the time for firm action has come.
Source: Epicenter.bg
