Assoc. Prof. Boryana Buzhashka, DSc.
University of Library Studies and Information Technologies
Sofia, Bulgaria
Abstract. Nowadays in Istanbul, Turkey, there is a Bulgarian colony, which was
created after the Second Balkan War and the First World War. It was not related to the
Bulgarians in Constantinople from the times of the Bulgarian National Revival, but
through the Foundation of Bulgarian Orthodox Churches in Istanbul as established,
it was their legal successor. The Foundation was also the formal owner of that part
of the Bulgarian exarchal properties in Turkey which the Turkish State returned.
Lifting the schism was an act of international and internal political importance.
This act put an end to the use of the Exarchy as a mean to unite all the Bulgarians
within the borders of a new Bulgaria according to the Treaty of San Stefano. In
essence, this was a retreat from the national ideal. The conditions for lifting the
schism, the closing of the Exarchal Vicegerency and the unresolved status of the
Bulgarian Church Community deprived the Bulgarians in the Republic of Turkey
of Bulgarian representation on church affairs and predetermined their remaining
within the diocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This issue has consequences
even nowadays.
Keywords: Bulgarian colony; Ecumenical Patriarchate; schism; Church Representation
Log in to read the full text
