Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church

Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church
Classification	Eastern Catholic Churches
Orientation	Byzantine Rite
Theology	Catholic theology
Polity	Episcopal polity
Region	Bulgaria
Language	Bulgarian
Liturgy	Byzantine Rite
Origin	1861
Separated from	Bulgarian Orthodox Church

The Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church is one of the Eastern Catholic Churches that follows the Byzantine Rite and is in full communion with the Pope in Rome. It is part of the larger Catholic Church and maintains the liturgical and spiritual traditions of Eastern Christianity while acknowledging the primacy of the Pope.

History

The Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church was established in 1861 when a group of Bulgarian Orthodox Christians sought union with the Holy See. This movement was part of a broader trend in the 19th century where various Eastern Christian communities sought to align with the Catholic Church while retaining their own liturgical traditions.

The initial impetus for the union came from a desire for ecclesiastical independence from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and a reaction against the Phanariote domination of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The union was formalized when Archimandrite Joseph Sokolsky was consecrated as the first Bulgarian Catholic bishop by the Pope in 1861.

Liturgy and Practices

The Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church follows the Byzantine Rite, which is characterized by its rich liturgical traditions, including the use of icons, incense, and a sung liturgy. The liturgical language is primarily Bulgarian, and the church calendar follows the Julian or Revised Julian Calendar.

The church maintains the Eastern Christian traditions of iconography, monasticism, and the Jesus Prayer. It also emphasizes the sacramental life, with the Divine Liturgy being the central act of worship.

Structure and Organization

The Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church is organized under an Apostolic Exarchate, which is a type of ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the Catholic Church. The Exarchate is directly subject to the Holy See and is led by an Apostolic Exarch, who is a bishop appointed by the Pope.

The church has a small number of parishes primarily located in Bulgaria, serving a community that is a minority within the predominantly Orthodox country.

Relations with Other Churches

The Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church maintains cordial relations with both the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and other Eastern Catholic Churches. It plays a role in the ecumenical dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, seeking to promote unity and understanding.

Challenges and Developments

Throughout its history, the Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church has faced challenges, including political pressures and the need to maintain its identity within a predominantly Orthodox environment. Despite these challenges, the church continues to serve its faithful and contribute to the spiritual and cultural life of Bulgaria.

See Also

• Eastern Catholic Churches
• Byzantine Rite
• Catholic Church in Bulgaria
• Ecumenism

References

• Catholic Hierarchy: Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church
• GCatholic: Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church