Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia facts for kids
The Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia is a part of the Church of Bulgaria. It is one of fifteen dioceses (church regions) that make up the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. This diocese is currently led by a religious leader called Metropolitan Joseph (Bosakov).
Contents
What is This Diocese?
Connecting Orthodox Christians Across Continents
A diocese is like a special church district. This one helps connect Bulgarian Orthodox Christians living in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It makes sure they can practice their faith and keep their traditions. The main church, called the cathedral, is Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Cathedral in New York City.
A Look at Its History
How the Diocese Began
The Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia started a long time ago. Before World War II, it was known as the Bulgarian Diocese of North and South America and Australia. After the war, things changed in Bulgaria. This made it hard for the diocese to stay connected with the main Church in Bulgaria.
Challenges and Changes
During the late 1950s, a leader named Metropolitan Andrew (Petkov) tried to join another Orthodox group in America. However, this plan did not work out.
In 1964, Metropolitan Andrew asked the Church of Bulgaria if he could return and continue leading the diocese. When he and his diocese rejoined, some people decided to go a different way. A group led by a priest named Archimandrite Kyrill (Yonchev) joined another church group called the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. They formed their own group called the Bulgarian Diocese in Exile.
The Diocese Today
Today, Metropolitan Joseph (Bosakov) leads the diocese. It has many churches, called parishes, in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is an overseas part of the Church of Bulgaria. The head of the entire Bulgarian Church is Patriarch Neophyte.
This diocese used to be a member of a group called the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas. Now, it is a member of the newer group that replaced it, called the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. These groups help different Orthodox churches work together.
Where Are the Churches?
A Few Examples of Parishes
The diocese has many churches, or parishes, in different cities. Here are some of them:
- Saints Kyril & Metodi Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocesan Cathedral in New York City, New York, USA. This is the main church.
- Holy Dormition Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, California, USA.
- Holy Ghost Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA.
- Holy Resurrection Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Allston, Massachusetts, USA.
- Saint Herman of Alaska Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Hudson, Ohio, USA.
- Saint Innocent of Alaska Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Kodiak, Alaska, USA.
- Saint Petka Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA.
- Saint Sophia Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
- St. George Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Orlando, Florida, USA.
- Saints Kyril & Metodi Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- St. Dimitar Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Saint Ivan Rilsky Eglise Orthodoxe Bulgare in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Saints Kyril & Metodi Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Saint Petka Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
You can find more information about all the churches on the Official site of the Diocese: http://www.bulgariandiocese.org/parishdirectory.html.
