Synod of Bulgarian Church speaks out against gay pride parade in Sofia
The hierarchy called on parents, the state, and society to protect marriage, the family, and the spiritual and moral upbringing of children.
On June 13, 2026, the Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church published an official statement opposing the holding of Sofia Pride 2026 on the eve of the Church feast of All Bulgarian Saints. This was reported by the press service of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.
In the document, the Synod expressed disagreement with “the ideas and messages promoted during this event.” The Bulgarian Church emphasized that the family, founded on “the blessed marital union of a man and a woman,” is the “natural and God-established environment” for the birth and upbringing of children. The Synod voiced particular concern over the promotion among young people of views and patterns of behavior “incompatible with Christian moral teaching,” since young people “are still forming their value system and personal identity.”
The Synod appealed to parents to “protect the spiritual and moral development of children,” and to state institutions and society to contribute to “the affirmation of marriage and the family” and the preservation of “spiritual and cultural values.” At the same time, the Church emphasized that it “rejects no one” and continues to pray for all people, but considers it its duty to “clearly bear witness to the Gospel truth.”
Earlier, the Bulgarian Patriarch stated that there are very significant obstacles to recognizing the OCU.
