Title: "Bulgaria’s Old Calendarists: A Growing Presence After Decades of Division"
After 56 years of separation, the Bulgarian Old Calendarists (BPCS) have been legally recognized by Bulgaria’s Supreme Cassation Court, raising various questions about their origins, motivations, and potential impact. Here’s a closer look at the group and the implications of their registration.
The Birth of a Splinter Group
The Old Calendarists, also known as the Bulgarian Old Rite, emerged in 1968 when a group of clergy refused to adopt the new calendar and formed a separate community centered around the Knyazhevo Monastery. They argued that the introduction of the new calendar was a compromise with modernity that undermined the authenticity of Orthodox faith.
Financing and Growth
Despite being an unregistered religion, the Old Calendarists have managed to establish a network of around 20 churches and have amassed a community of approximately 1,000 adherents. They’ve been funding their activities through donations, despite paying taxes on their properties and receiving no state subsidies, as reported by BTA.
"Legalization Hunger" and External Support
The Old Calendarists’ recent push for legal recognition is seen by some as an attempt to expand their influence. ProfessorIvanov notes, "They’ve been trying to get registered for a long time. Now they’ve found a loophole in the law." Some observers suggest that the group could be backed by external forces, with speculations pointing towards Russia, the West, or even the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople.
Legal Concerns and Potential Impact
The BPCS’s registration raised eyebrows due to potential constitutional issues. The Bulgarian Constitution grants special status to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), and the opposition party "Democratic Bulgaria" has already tabled a bill to clarify this issue. The BOC’s Holy Synod, meanwhile, denounced the registration, warning of potential schisms.
What’s Next?
Now recognized legally, the BPCS could potentially expand its influence, attract more adherents, and assert more significant demands. However, the BOC remains the dominant religious institution in Bulgaria and is backed by the state. The registration process also seems to have highlighted certain constitutional ambiguities that will likely be addressed in the near future.
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