The board of Istanbul’s Bulgarian Orthodox community has banned Greek-language services in Bulgarian churches in Edirne after a dispute broke out during the St. George’s Day celebration at the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. George the Victorious.
According to BTA, the national news agency of Bulgaria, the dispute began when Greek Orthodox clergy reportedly sought to conduct the service in Greek at the Bulgarian church in Edirne’s Kiyik district. The service was linked to St. George’s Day, the patron feast of the church, and hundreds of Bulgarians had traveled to Edirne for the occasion.
Bulgarians objected to Greek-Language Service
According to BTA, the dispute began when a Greek Orthodox metropolitan sent by the Ecumenical Patriarchate reportedly sought to conduct the liturgy in Greek.
Bulgarian worshippers objected, arguing that services in a Bulgarian church should be held in Bulgarian rather than in Greek, which many of them do not understand.
The incident triggered a strong reaction within Istanbul’s Bulgarian Orthodox community and was also covered by Turkish media outlets, including Haberturk and Yeni Birlik.
Bulgarian community suspends services in Edirne churches
Dimitri Yotef, chairman of the Foundation of the Orthodox Churches of the Bulgarian Exarchate in Istanbul, said the community had traveled to Edirne for the traditional Bulgarian-language service but was informed that only Greek clergy would officiate.
“This is a Bulgarian church and we believe services should be held in Bulgarian,” Yotef said.
He added that the foundation had decided to suspend religious services in the churches until the issue is resolved. The decision applies to both Bulgarian churches in Edirne, although they will remain open for visits and private prayer.
Yotef also said tensions over the issue had existed for years, particularly after the death of Father Alexander Chakirik, whom he described as highly respected by the community.
Bulgarian officials say worship language is key issue
Bulgarian officials were also present at the service. Bulgaria’s consul general in Edirne, Radoslava Kafedzhiyska, told local media that the dispute reflected a longstanding problem involving restrictions on Bulgarian-language worship.
“In the Republic of Turkiye, services in every church or place of worship are conducted in the language of the respective community,” she said.
Kafedzhiyska added that the issue concerned language, culture, and the right of the community to practice its faith in its own language.
After lengthy arguments and strong demands from Bulgarian worshippers, a prayer was eventually read in Bulgarian.
Greek-Language church dispute revives longstanding tensions
The dispute has revived broader concerns among members of the Bulgarian Orthodox community over the administration and liturgical language of Bulgarian churches in Edirne.
Observers familiar with the issue say tensions surrounding the churches have long centered on allegations that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has sought to impose Greek-language services and expand its influence over their administration.
In Istanbul, services at the Bulgarian churches of St. Stephen and St. Ivan Rilski are normally conducted in Bulgarian. Greek is used only during visits by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, according to community representatives.
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