Russian Ambassador Mitrofanova Sparks Tension at Sofia Cathedral, Patriarch Halts Liturgy

During a liturgy at Sofia’s St. Sunday church, led by Patriarch Daniel, worshippers reacted to the presence of Russian ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova. Some shouted “Тук не е Москва” (“This is not Moscow”), prompting the Patriarch to interrupt the service and call for calm.

Party ABV circulated a photo of its leader Rumen Petkov with Mitrofanova, claiming the diplomat was received positively by the faithful. Media reports highlighted the incident as part of broader public unease over Russian diplomatic activity in Bulgaria amid the Ukraine war. The visit coincided with the display of the Hawaiian miraculous Iverian icon, brought by clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and previously announced by the Bulgarian Patriarchate.