Bulgarian authorities сheck legality of ROC’s ownership of church in Sofia

St. Nicholas’s Church of the ROC in Sofia. Photo: Tournavigator

The Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office will examine the title deeds for ownership rights to the Russian Orthodox Church's property (St. Nicholas Church) in Sofia, which is owned by the Russian Embassy, reports TASS.

"We will review the documents on which the title deed for ownership was issued. We will also request documents regarding the canons of our church concerning the conduct of church services in this church and the cessation of access to it for believers, especially since Saint Seraphim (Sobolev) is buried there, making the church a public and accessible building," announced Prosecutor Iliana Kirilova during a briefing on September 27, 2023.

Representatives of the Prosecutor's Office stated that the investigation is based on signals from members of the country's parliament and one of the civic associations. TASS reports that the official owner of the church is the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria, which has the corresponding title deed.

As earlier reported, the Bulgarian Patriarch appointed priests to the church, whose clergy were expelled from the country.

Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing

People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.

Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended

The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.

Dumenko and Zoria discuss combating "Russian World" with Minister of Culture

Tochytskyi and representatives of the OCU discussed countering Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine's national identity.

Greek theologian: Religious situation in Ukraine divides Orthodoxy

According to the Greek theologian, "many Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers have been hesitant to leave the church under the Moscow Patriarchate and join the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, fearing a potential excommunication for being schismatics."

OCU cleric blames TRC for forced mobilization and kidnapping of parishioners

It is reported that the mobilized person was helping with repair work in the church.

Greek theologian explains why Churches do not accuse ROC Primate of heresy

A professor from the University of Athens explained why no Orthodox Church had condemned Patriarch Kirill as heretic so far.