Another legal clash has shaken the religious space in Bulgaria, after the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office took an unprecedented step, attacking the status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church.
On July 29, 2025, the prosecutor's office filed an official complaint against a decision of the Sofia City Court, which initially rejected the request to cancel the registration of the said religious organization.
The legal dispute stems from non-compliance with key legal requirements in the Law on Religious Organizations. Specifically, the church has failed to implement the necessary changes in its name, which calls into question its legality.
The new legislative provisions introduce extremely strict criteria for religious formations using the term "Orthodox" in their name. They are aimed at standardizing and refining the status of different religious communities.
The prosecutor's office justifies its position with the need for full compliance with current legislation. According to legal experts, failure to comply with registration requirements can lead to serious legal consequences for the respective religious structure.
This complaint raises another landmark case in the complex relationship between the state and religious institutions. It demonstrates the categorical position of state bodies to ensure full legal compliance, even when it affects the sensitive sphere of religious beliefs.
The Sofia City Court is yet to rule on the merits, with the legal community's attention focused on the development of this case with potentially significant consequences for the religious landscape in Bulgaria.