Bulgarian Church on the brink of schism: Is there a way out of the crisis?

Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv. Photo: UOJ

On May 16, 2024, Bulgarian bishops concelebrated with Patriarch Bartholomew and two representatives of the OCU on the Phanar. Immediately after this, several Ukrainian publications claimed that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church had recognized the structure of Dumenko. However, such conclusions are not supported within the organization itself. For instance, Yevstratiy Zoria stated that one can speak about specific steps in this direction rather than recognition.

In any case, supporters of Dumenko in Ukraine are rejoicing, unlike the believers of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The Phanar and the election of a new Patriarch of Bulgaria

Among the bishops who participated in the concelebration with the Ukrainian schismatics were three representatives of the Holy Synod of the BOC, one of whom could potentially become the new Bulgarian patriarch.

We're talking about Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv. He is one of the most authoritative hierarchs of the Bulgarian Church, and his candidacy has long been considered as a replacement for Patriarch Neophyte. However, after Neophyte's death, unassuming information about Metropolitan Nicholas surfaced in the Bulgarian media, leading him to announce that he was withdrawing his candidacy for the post of new patriarch.

Just after this statement made in March 2024, Metropolitan Nicholas went to the Phanar to participate in a joint service with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and representatives of the OCU – Zoria and Lotysh.

In Bulgaria, this joint service was deemed as geopolitics and Metropolitan Nicholas's desire to secure the support of Patriarch Bartholomew in the upcoming elections, notably since it became known that the Plovdiv hierarch had not officially withdrawn his candidacy for the upcoming elections and had not sent a statement to the Holy Synod about it.

Such actions by Metropolitan Nicholas have caused outrage among ordinary believers, who qualified them as a betrayal of sacred canons and an encroachment on the autocephaly and independence of the Bulgarian Church.

Georgi Todorov, a well-known theologian, church historian, writer, and publicist in Bulgaria, believes that Metropolitan Nicholas's actions are a betrayal of the thousand-year history of the Bulgarian Church because, in addition to serving with representatives of the Ukrainian schismatics, the hierarch of Plovdiv invited the head of the Phanar to the elections of the new Patriarch of Bulgaria and his enthronement.

Todorov pointed out that Metropolitan Nicholas and the accompanying hierarchs had no right to invite the head of the Phanar to the elections of the Patriarch of Bulgaria without the corresponding decision of the Holy Synod.

Secondly, he emphasized that representatives of other Churches, even the most authoritative and respected ones, cannot participate in the elections of the Bulgarian patriarch.

According to Todorov, if Patriarch Bartholomew directly participates in the elections of the head of the Bulgarian Church, this will be evidence that not only Bulgaria but the entire Orthodox Church is directly dependent on the Ecumenical Patriarch, which, in Todorov's opinion, is heresy: "The Ecumenical Patriarch has no right to attend the elections, let alone participate in them. There can be no talk of that. He is not a member of this Church (the Bulgarian one – Ed.). And if he is a member of this Church, then he is an Eastern Pope, which is heresy," noted Todorov.

On the other hand, Bulgarian politician Kostadin Kostadinov stated that the Bulgarian Church is under strong pressure from the USA, and he considers Patriarch Bartholomew to be an instrument of this pressure.

According to Kostadinov, a Bulgarian political vector towards the Euro-Atlantic alliance involves the "Hellenophiles within the Bulgarian Church", whose bright representatives are the hierarchs who visited the Phanar. Kostadinov calls them "Janissaries in robes" and accuses them of betraying Bulgarian national interests.

How do believers in Bulgaria feel about the OCU?

The situation in Bulgaria has reached a critical point, which is evidenced by several protest actions held by the believers of the Bulgarian Church outside the building of the Holy Synod.

The first protest action took place after the return of the aforementioned hierarchs from Istanbul. Believers claim that the metropolitans of the Bulgarian Church who co-served with the Ukrainian schismatics violated the canons and therefore should face trial. In connection with this, believers demand the convening of an All-People's Church Council.

Furthermore, clerics from the Lovech Eparchy believe that the hierarchs who served with the OCU "inflicted a wound not on themselves, but on the entire church body and caused serious damage and turmoil, threatening the unity of the Church of Christ in Bulgaria." They also demand a trial for the hierarchs.

The second protest action took place on the day of the election of the new Metropolitan of Sliven. Bishop Arseniy, who is now at the head of the Sliven Eparchy, is considered to be a creature of Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv.

Ivan Zhelev, a professor at Sofia University, points out that Metropolitan Arseniy is a "creation" of Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv: "He ordained him as a priest. Then, at his suggestion, he was ordained as a bishop. Metropolitan Nicholas trained him for years. This is already a fact." And with this "fact", the professor believes, Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv secured himself an additional vote in the Holy Synod in the upcoming elections for the post of Bulgarian patriarch.

Most likely, for this reason, suspecting Metropolitan Nicholas of foul play, believers of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church protested against the election of Metropolitan Arseniy.

They believe that Metropolitan Arseniy, as a protege of Metropolitan Nicholas who violated the canons of the Church, is unworthy of holding the position of Metropolitan of Sliven. In turn, the hierarch of Plovdiv cannot become the Patriarch of Bulgaria.

However, Professor Zhelev hopes that Metropolitan Arseniy will vote according to his conscience in the elections, rather than under the guidance of "senior comrades".

Furthermore, he mentioned that candidates for patriarch, as well as their supporters, are already using various means to attract as many people to their side as possible: "Some people buy votes with money, others with gifts, and still others with pressure or promises," Zhelev commented.

In any case, the situation in the Bulgarian Church is very complex, and predicting its development is a thankless task. Therefore, without drawing hasty conclusions, let us summarize some of the outcomes.

Conclusions

The believers suspect Metropolitan Nicholas of using bad-faith methods to vie for the position of patriarch. This has sparked protests and dissatisfaction among parishioners.

We also witness protests against the election of Metropolitan Arseniy, whom they consider a protege of Metropolitan Nicholas. These protests demonstrate deep distrust towards the hierarch of Plovdiv and his possible plans.

At the same time, it must be acknowledged that Metropolitan Nicholas is a key figure in the current elections. However, if he becomes patriarch, his pro-Phanar stance and potential recognition of the OCU may cause serious disagreements within the Bulgarian Church, leading to long-term internal conflicts.

The situation is further complicated by accusations against Metropolitan Nicholas and other hierarchs of succumbing to US influence through Patriarch Bartholomew, intensifying tensions among believers and society at large, as the Church becomes embroiled in geopolitical games, which could have unfavorable consequences for the Church in the long run.

Moreover, the possible involvement of Patriarch Bartholomew in the election of the new Bulgarian patriarch will undoubtedly be perceived as an attempt of external interference in the affairs of the Bulgarian Church, further exacerbating the rift among the BOC believers. The situation will worsen even more if the OCU is recognized.

However, there is another possible outcome – the main one. Some believers and hierarchs hope that the Lord will intervene in the situation. Then, a candidate who is currently not being discussed at all may become patriarch. Only he, essentially, will be able to unite believers and stop the unfolding crisis in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

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