The Continued Persecution of the Genuine Orthodox Church of Bulgaria

Statement on Behalf of the Hierarchical Synod of the Old Calendar Bulgarian Orthodox Church

 

Revered clergy, beloved in the Lord brothers and sisters!

As we informed you, on April 17, 2025, the Prosecutor's Office and the Directorate of Religious Denominations under the Council of Ministers submitted requests to the Sofia City Court for the initiation of dissolution proceedings against the Old Calendar Bulgarian Orthodox Church as a legal entity.

By its decision of July 10, 2025, the Sofia City Court dismissed the requests of the Directorate of Religious Denominations under the Council of Ministers and the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office to initiate dissolution proceedings against the Old Calendar Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

On July 22, 2025, the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office filed an appeal with the Sofia Court of Appeal, requesting that the appellate judicial panel overturn the decision of the Sofia City Court and instead issue another decision granting the submitted requests of the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office and the Directorate of Religious Denominations under the Council of Ministers for the termination of the registration of the legal entity – religious community (denomination) “Old Calendar Bulgarian Orthodox Church,” as well as for the initiation of dissolution proceedings.

The Sofia Court of Appeal is yet to examine the complaint submitted on behalf of the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office (up to this moment, the Directorate of Religious Denominations has not filed its own complaint), as well as the counter legal arguments from our side, and to make a decision regarding them.

Let us all, with trust in God’s providence, pray for our Church. May the Most Pure Mother of God protect us all under her veil!

From the Chancery of the Hierarchical Synod
of the Old Calendar Bulgarian Orthodox Church

 

Bulgarian source: https://bulgarian-orthodox-church.org/ch-life/official/message20250724.html