БПЦ при управлението на митрополит Стефан (1944 – 1948)
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church under the Primacy of Stefan I (1944 – 1948)

Summary/Abstract: This study examines a significant and intricate period in the modern history of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) — specifically, Metropolitan Stefan's tenure as Exarch from 1944 to 1948. This era followed decades of tension, during which the Bulgarian Exarchate was burdened with atypical political and diplomatic responsibilities emerging from the post-Liberation national unity ambitions. Although these duties held national significance, they contributed to the Exarchate’s isolation from other Local Orthodox Churches and fostered internal discord among the clergy. In this delicate and institutionally strained environment, the Church was compelled to navigate the establishment of Bulgaria’s new totalitarian regime. The central theme of this research is the analysis of the relationship between the BOC and the Communist Party in the years following the September 9, 1944, coup. Initially, the regime utilised Exarch Stefan I as a pivotal instrument for its international legitimation, aiming to mitigate foreign accusations regarding the suppression of religious freedoms. However, this symbiotic relationship deteriorated sharply in 1948, when the BOC's stance at the All-Orthodox Conference resulted in a definitive split. Stefan I, who publicly opposed the Party’s complete control over public life, rapidly emerged as a leading "reactionary" hierarch and a significant obstacle to the Communist Party's long-term objectives. Ultimately, the Communist Party employed a strategic approach by exploiting pre-existing interpersonal conflicts within the clerical hierarchy to remove the Exarch and implement a long-term plan for the complete marginalisation and' state subordination (казиониране) of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC). Despite his rights as Metropolitan of Sofia, the enforced removal of Stefan I represented a pivotal step toward achieving comprehensive control over the nation's spiritual affairs. This research draws upon an extensive array of sources, including documentary materials housed in the Central State Archives (CDA), notably Fund' Bulgarian Exarchate (1870-1953)," and protocols from Holy Synod sessions, which provide valuable insights into the Church's political and social role during this significant transitional period.

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