The Parliament defends the unique status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

On January 31, 2025, the National Assembly voted with 186 votes "in favor" of changes to the Law on Religions, confirming that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate (BOC-BP) is the sole legitimate representative of Eastern Orthodoxy in Bulgaria. This decision was made in response to a previous decision of the Supreme Court of Cassation, which allowed the registration of the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church under the name "Orthodox Church", creating a real risk of multiple registration of "Orthodox" organizations.

The BOC-BP categorically condemned the court decision, stating that the simultaneous existence of more Orthodox jurisdictions with identical status would weaken the unity of the church and contradict the established canonical order. The adopted amendments oblige the Old Calendarists to change their name within two months, otherwise their registration will be annulled.