Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte appoints priests from Sofia to perform divine service at the Russian Church

Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte appointed priests from Sofia who will take care of the Russian Church in Sofia and will perform services in the temple, a press release from the Holy Synod said on September 25.

The Holy Synod of Sofia guarantees that no part of the church's property will be lost or damaged. As before, the faithful will be able to worship at the relics of St. Seraphim of Sofia and to implore his gracious help and support.

Patriarch Neophyte’s move is prompted by concern for the faithful and the preservation of church order and should be understood only in its spiritual aspect. It does not affect the property or other rights of anyone as guaranteed to them by secular laws, the press release states.

Any other matters of secular legal and administrative nature relevant to the case will be discussed at the regular meeting of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate.

Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte has sent a letter to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to inform him about the actions taken.

He expects assistance from the Russian embassy in Sofia for the opening of the temple and the continuation of its gracious life, which plays an important role in the spiritual uplift of Orthodox Christians, the press release said.

The “St. Nicholas of Myra” church in Sofia, known as the ‘Russian Church’, was closed on September 22, a day after a decision to expel three clerics from Russia and Belarus on suspicion of spying for Moscow.

Bulgaria expels the abbot of the Russian church in Sofia for espionage

On Sunday, September 24, citizens gathered in front of the Russian Church in Sofia, lit candles and left flowers at its entrance, demanding that it is reopened.

On Monday, September 25, National Assembly Speaker Rosen Zhelyazkov said he will ask the State Agency for National Security (SANS) to present a report regarding the expulsion.

On Monday again, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Bulgarian ambassador to Moscow, Atanas Kristin, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Moscow has protested the expulsion of the rector of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia, the Russian ministry said in a statement.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called the actions of the Bulgarian authorities "another provocation."