"Kremlin Agent” in Bulgarian style: on the work against Patriarch Daniil
Information provocations surround the name of the Patriarch of the Bulgarian Church. Who initiates them and why?
Recently, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has been going through a difficult period. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled on the legalization of the Bulgarian Old Calendarists. We have already written that this decision was influenced by external forces, directly related to George Soros. It is likely that within Bulgaria itself, there is a group of politicians who have decided that in order to achieve their goals of coming to power in the country, they can and should use the "religious factor". This tactic, successfully tested in Ukraine, allows for the creation of political and social confrontation, providing great room for manipulation and pressure on all "undesirable". Patriarch Daniil is now under strong pressure from both external and internal forces. Naturally, these forces aim to weaken the authority of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, both in the country and in the Orthodox world at large. The easiest way to achieve this is through the recognition of the OCU, which from the very beginning has become a tool for political rather than spiritual influence.
At present, we can observe a mirror reflection of the Ukrainian church situation in Bulgaria: first, the legalization of the schism, and then a gradual and relentless destruction of the canonical Church. The outcome is the creation of a "church" controlled by the authorities, more dependent on politicians than on God.
Current developments
At present, we can see that the situation around the Bulgarian Church has noticeably escalated. The BOC Synod, as well as Patriarch Daniil personally, are being subjected to pressure, with the aim of further demanding that they "play by new rules." If the Church attempts to resist, the dirtiest tactics will be employed – from blackmail to lies and accusations of non-existent sins. And this is already starting to appear in the information field of Bulgaria.
A few days ago, the scandalously notorious Archimandrite Dionysius of the Bulgarian Church made a series of statements in an interview with the Bulgarian resource “Studio Banker”. He directed accusations at the BOC Synod and Patriarch Daniil personally, presenting the Bulgarian Church in a very negative light. What accusations did Dionysius make?
Accusations of murder
One of Dionysius’ loudest and most scandalous statements was a hint at Patriarch Daniil’s involvement in the murder of Archpriest Stefan Kamberov. This concerns an incident that occurred in 2002 in Bulgaria during a conflict over property and influence between the canonical Bulgarian Orthodox Church and representatives of the Synod of "Patriarch Pimen". Father Stefan Kamberov, from the Church of St. Panteleimon in the village of Dobrinishte, became the victim of a brutal murder allegedly carried out by a priest and a sacristan who supported Metropolitan Nafanail of Nevrokop (a representative of the canonical Church). Despite witness testimonies and a medical report confirming the cruelty of the crime, the court classified it as "unintentional murder" and handed down mild sentences: Priest Father Malin Sakarev was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison, and the sacristan Boris Yerinin – to 5.5 years.
What does Patriarch Daniil have to do with this, given that at the time he was an ordinary hierodeacon studying at the theological faculty in Sofia? It is unclear. However, Archimandrite Dionysius is not concerned with evidence, limiting himself to unsupported assertions. For example, he states, "There is data from investigative bodies about criminal acts associated with the name of Daniil." He also claims, " There are handwritten confessions of the current patriarch, then a hierodeacon, about what he observed – he had empathy, not complicity." Dionysius continued, "Daniel does not talk about these things, nor does anyone ask him. He has yet to discover whether he is a child of God or something else." The method Dionysius uses here is painfully familiar to many Ukrainian clerics, hierarchs, and believers – unsupported statements and accusations whose absurdity the accused have to prove...
Political dependence of the Church
Dionysius asserts that the Bulgarian Church serves the interests of politicians allegedly linked to Russia. He suggests that Patriarch Daniil wishes "Russian conservatism" "to live in the times of Ivan the Terrible" and that he "served the interests of political-oligarchic circles in our country, directly connected to Moscow." According to Dionysius, "all the troubles of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church have always come from the authorities in St. Petersburg or Moscow – from the Renaissance years to the present day." Again, the scheme that the archimandrite uses in this case is unfortunately very well known to Ukrainian believers - when their opponents throw around words like "Moscow agents" or "FSB agents in cassocks". It seems like obvious nonsense, but "the aftertaste remains". This time, however, the scheme is being applied to the leadership of the Bulgarian Church.
Accusations of collaboration with communists
In his interview, Dionysius also hinted that some members of the Holy Synod are connected with Bulgaria's communist-era secret police (the DS). He mentioned "the file of Daniil's predecessor in the Vidin diocese, who also wrote against his own brother" and demanded that the Patriarch address this matter. Moreover, according to Dionysius, Patriarch Daniil should speak out "about the actions of the Bulgarian Church during the “revival process” (the forced assimilation of the Turkish minority in Bulgaria). Once again, do these statements remind you of anything?
Why can’t we just ignore Dionysius' remarks? Because the main goal of such attacks is to make Patriarch Daniil agree to a "hands-on management regime". According to Dionysius' handlers, these dirty insinuations are meant to make the Patriarch understand that the pressure will not only continue but will intensify over time. Therefore, he must play on their team, or it will end badly for him. This scenario is familiar to all of us: politicians and public figures create a negative background around the Church to incline it to “necessary” decisions. It is not difficult to guess what these decisions might be.
Who is Archimandrite Dionysius?
Archimandrite Dionysius is a well-known figure whose name is linked to numerous scandals. However, it would be a mistake to think that this person is insignificant. After all, it was he who, at the suggestion of Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv, was elected as the assistant to Metropolitan Antony of Western Europe for organizing the election of the successor to the late Patriarch Neophyte at the May session of the Holy Synod. His candidacy was sharply rejected by the Synod (which did not stop Metropolitan Nikolai from appointing him to the position). And, to be honest, there were good reasons for this.
The fact is that Dionysius was removed from the position of abbot of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral after a series of scandals. Not only was he removed from office, but he was also banned from performing services, and a special commission was tasked with investigating his numerous violations. However, the commission’s findings were never made public, and Dionysius publicly mocked the Synod's decision to send him for penance to the Rila Monastery, where he never arrived. In Bulgaria, it is said that Dionysius was never a true monk and never had a monastic vocation.
In 2007-2008, this clergyman was an active lobbyist for oligarch Vasil Bozhkov, supporting his interests in parliament. Bozhkov, one of the richest men in Bulgaria, is accused of several crimes, including murder.
Dionysius’ name is also associated with the so-called "Archon affair" when church clergy sold fictitious titles for large sums of money. Dionysius was involved in this, advising Bishop Tikhon on how and where to take money for such "titles", which is a clear example of simony.
In 2020, Dionysius was one of the active participants in protests, often appearing in the company of Reneta Indzhova, the former acting Prime Minister of Bulgaria. However, he soon became disillusioned with Indzhova and switched sides to Boyko Borissov, joining the team of Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv. This is that very Nikolai who, together with Zoria, concelebrated with Patriarch Bartholomew in Phanar. Given Dionysius' close ties with Metropolitan Nikolai, who is considered more of a politician than a bishop in Bulgaria, it is not difficult to conclude where the scandalous statements of the archimandrite are coming from.
What is happening?
Bulgarian politicians, dependent on Western grants, are actively using the religious factor to achieve their goals. They understand that the influence of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as a unifying factor in society remains significant. However, if the Church becomes "subservient", it can be used as a tool in political battles. That is why they are determined to persistently (and, if necessary, for a long time) work to weaken the BOC and replace it with a more controllable structure. A litmus test in this whole scheme (the legalization of the schismatics – an attack on the canonical Church – the creation of a "national church") is the recognition of the OCU, simply as proof of loyalty to the "right" course.
That is why we believe that Archimandrite Dionysius' interview is not just words but a signal to Patriarch Daniil: "Recognize the OCU or face huge problems." And it is quite obvious that the canonical Church cannot yield to such demands without betraying God.
