Armenian Apostolic Church Supports Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Exclusive Status

Bishop Datev Hagopian

OCP News Service – 14/01/2025

Sofia – Bulgaria: The Armenian Apostolic Church has expressed its support for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s exclusive status as the representative of the traditional Eastern Orthodox faith in Bulgaria. In a letter to Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Bishop Datev Agopyan of the Armenian Diocese in Romania and Vicar of the Armenian Diocese in Bulgaria affirmed his support for proposed amendments to Bulgaria’s Law on Religious Denominations.

The letter, issued with the blessing of Catholicos Karekin II, Patriarch of All Armenia, emphasized the historical friendship and close ties between the two churches. Bishop Agopyan stated that the Armenian Church supports the legal recognition of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as the sole expression of Orthodox Christianity in Bulgaria, as outlined in the Bulgarian Constitution and Article 10 of the Law on Religious Denominations.

The bishop reassured that these legislative changes would not impact the status of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Bulgaria, which operates under the existing Law on Religions. He emphasized that the Armenian Church does not claim to represent the traditional Orthodox faith within the meaning of the Bulgarian Constitution.

The letter concluded with prayers and blessings, underscoring the Armenian Church’s respect for the unity and status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as a cornerstone of Bulgarian religious tradition.

Source:

OCP News Service