The Bulgarian Old Catholic Church stands in the faith of the undivided Church of the first millennium. We are Catholic, but not Roman; Orthodox in spirit, yet independent in structure. Our beliefs are grounded in Scripture, shaped by tradition, and lived out in sacramental life.
Core Foundations
- We confess the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, as proclaimed by the first two Ecumenical Councils and affirmed by the universal Church.
- We recognise the first seven Ecumenical Councils, which express the shared doctrine of the early Church before East and West divided.
- We believe in the apostolic succession, through which the sacramental life of the Church is faithfully handed down.
Sacramental Life
We affirm the seven classical sacraments of the Church:
- Baptism
- Confirmation (Chrismation)
- Eucharist
- Confession (Reconciliation)
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
All sacraments are celebrated with reverence, in the local language, and are open to all who are baptised and seek them sincerely.
Liturgy and Worship
The BOCC honours both Eastern and Western liturgical traditions. We celebrate the Divine Liturgy and the Latin Rite, depending on the pastoral needs of the community. Our worship is reverent, accessible, and rooted in the ancient practices of the Church.
Scripture and Tradition
We believe that Holy Scripture is the inspired Word of God, and is to be read within the life of the Church. We also hold that Sacred Tradition — the lived faith of the Church — is essential for rightly interpreting and living out that Word.
Openness and Integrity
We believe that God’s grace is not limited by human boundaries. All who seek Christ with honesty are welcome. The Church must be a place of mercy, not exclusion; of healing, not harm.
The Nicene Creed
At the heart of our belief is the Nicene–Constantinopolitan Creed — the ancient and universal profession of the Christian faith. It affirms our trust in the Triune God, the Incarnation of Christ, the life of the Church, and the hope of the resurrection. As Old Catholics, we proclaim this Creed with conviction in our worship and our daily life.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.