Greek metropolitan bars Bulgarian-language liturgy in Edirne church

Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Amphilochios of Adrianople sparked controversy at the Bulgarian St George Church in Edirne after sending two priests and ordering that a May 9 liturgy marking the church’s feast day be conducted in Greek instead of Bulgarian, BGNES reported.

Large numbers of Bulgarian Orthodox worshippers had gathered at the church for the service. The board of the Foundation of the Orthodox Churches of the Bulgarian Exarchate in Istanbul refused to accept the change and cancelled the liturgy, with only a prayer ultimately being read in the church.

The prayer was led by Father Haralampiy Nichev, a priest serving the Bulgarian Orthodox community in Istanbul.

“The disagreement between Metropolitan Amphilochios and the Bulgarian community has been going on for quite some time, because it is mainly Bulgarians who attend services in Edirne,” Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil told BNT. “These problems are known both to the church board and to the foundation that looks after the churches in Istanbul and Edirne. They are also known to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and to us,” he added.

“I personally cannot explain why this is happening ... What is the problem, when 150 Bulgarians have gathered there, in allowing a liturgy to be conducted in Bulgarian?” Daniil said.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova