Bulgarian Old Catholic Church

Bulgarian Old Catholic Church
Българска старокатолическа църква
Abbreviation	BOCC
Classification	Old Catholic
Orientation	High church, Inclusive Christianity
Polity	Episcopal, Synodal
Archbishop	Svetoslav Vasilev
Associations	International Old Catholic Synod, Apostolic Old Catholic Mission (English-speaking division)
Region	Bulgaria, Europe, Africa
Founder	Group of Bulgarian clergy and laypeople
Origin	2018 Sofia, Bulgaria
Separated from	Bulgarian Orthodox Church
Official website	oldcatholic.bg

The Bulgarian Old Catholic Church (, abbreviated BOCC) is a legally registered Old Catholic Church based in Sofia, Bulgaria. It was officially registered in May 2018 as a religious institution under Bulgarian law (Unified Identification Code 177269719). The BOCC identifies with the Old Catholic tradition but is not currently a member of the Union of Utrecht. The church is led by Archbishop Svetoslav Vasilev, and maintains an online presence through its official website and a public Facebook group.

History

The BOCC was founded in May 2018 in Sofia by clergy and laity formerly affiliated with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and other Christian traditions. The founders cited dissatisfaction with institutional structures and a desire to create a national church aligned with Old Catholic values, grounded in both apostolic continuity and modern pastoral care.

In January 2019, Svetoslav Vasilev was consecrated bishop by Old Catholic bishops in valid apostolic succession, including lines traceable to Arnold Harris Mathew and the Union of Utrecht. The consecration ceremony took place at St. George's Chapel in Negushevo, near Sofia.

Although the BOCC is not listed among Union of Utrecht members, its episcopal orders are recognized within the broader Old Catholic movement. The church maintains contact with Old Catholic bishops from Europe, Africa, and the Americas, and participates in an informal international synod of bishops.

In 2022, the BOCC gained broader public attention for coordinating humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria. The church provided food, clothing, and shelter in collaboration with other community groups and volunteers.

The church has also been mentioned in national media reports regarding religious pluralism in Bulgaria.

Doctrine

The BOCC affirms the teachings of the undivided Church as expressed in the first seven Ecumenical Councils and adheres to the Nicene Creed, without the Filioque clause. Its doctrine reflects standard Old Catholic positions, rejecting papal infallibility and emphasizing a collegial, synodal form of church governance.

The BOCC recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), Eucharist, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. It permits diverse liturgical expressions and encourages inclusive participation in church life, welcoming those of different theological backgrounds and personal histories.

Structure

The highest governing body of the BOCC is the Holy Synod, presided over by the Archbishop. It includes clergy and lay delegates and functions as the supreme authority in matters of doctrine and administration. Supporting bodies include the Church Council and Audit Commission. Local congregations are called Local Church Communities and are governed by elected spiritual trustees.

Worship and Liturgy

Worship in the BOCC blends elements from both Eastern and Western Christian traditions. Parishes may choose the Divine Liturgy in the Eastern style, use Western liturgies such as the Roman Rite, or adopt Old Catholic forms in the vernacular. The liturgical language is typically Bulgarian.

The Eucharist is central to worship, and the BOCC affirms the Real Presence of Christ in the sacrament. Holy Communion is open to all baptized Christians, regardless of denomination, consistent with the church’s inclusive theology.

The BOCC celebrates the traditional church year including Advent, Lent, Easter, and major Bulgarian and universal Christian feast days. Music may include both Eastern Orthodox chant and Western hymns. Use of incense, icons, and other liturgical elements varies by community.

Ecumenical Relations

The BOCC emphasizes ecumenism and seeks friendly relations with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church in Bulgaria, and various Protestant churches. Although not in communion with any of these, it participates in ecumenical events such as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Internationally, the BOCC is affiliated with an informal global fellowship of Old Catholic bishops and jurisdictions, some of which are not in the Union of Utrecht. The BOCC maintains relationships with churches in Poland, Italy, North America, and Africa, and its Archbishop serves as a co-chair of the 'International Old Catholic Bishops’ Synod’.

While the BOCC’s apostolic succession is not formally recognized by the Roman Catholic or Orthodox hierarchies, it is regarded as valid within the wider Old Catholic tradition.

Mission and Social Work

The BOCC sees itself as a “church of mercy” with a mission to reach those often excluded by traditional churches.

Its outreach includes charitable support for orphaned children, refugees, and people in crisis. The church welcomes anyone seeking sacramental and spiritual care, without requiring renunciation of previous affiliations.

The BOCC also runs missions for the Bulgarian diaspora in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It cooperates with local churches abroad to provide Bulgarian-language services.

International Work

Despite its small size, the BOCC has engaged in missionary work, particularly in Cameroon, Uganda, and Malawi. Through partnerships with Old Catholic bishops in Africa, it supports chapels, training, and community development projects.

Archbishop Vasilev and other BOCC clergy have visited these regions, and clergy from Africa have also come to Bulgaria for study and formation. The BOCC emphasizes the global dimension of the church’s mission and views international outreach as a core responsibility.

Apostolic Old Catholic Mission

The Apostolic Old Catholic Mission is the English-speaking ministry of the Bulgarian Old Catholic Church. It was founded in 2025 following the ordination of its priest by Archbishop Svetoslav Vasilev. The Mission serves English-speaking Christians in Bulgaria and internationally.

It emphasizes reverent liturgy, valid apostolic succession, and pastoral inclusion, following the model of the early Church. While fully under the sacramental oversight of the BOCC and in spiritual communion with its Archbishop, the Mission operates with independent governance and its own council. It reflects a growing international outreach by the BOCC.

See also

• Christianity in Bulgaria
• Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church
• Independent Catholicism
• Religion in Bulgaria

External links

• Official website of the Bulgarian Old Catholic Church
• Apostolic Old Catholic Mission – English-speaking ministry
• BOCC public Facebook group
• Anglican Church in Sofia post mentioning Archbishop Vasilev
• BOCC legal registration (Bulstat Register)
• Official NGO Register entry
• Archbishop Vasilev author profile at Kingdom of David

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