Holy Synod Says It Does not Support Istanbul Convention

In a special address on 22^nd of January, the Holy Synod said that it does not support the Istanbul Convention and the introduction of concepts incompatible with Bulgarian public order and unknown to the national legal system, as well as the passing of ideas incompatible with the faith of the Holy Orthodox Church.

The Synod said the term “gender” in the Istanbul Convention was different from “gender” in the Bulgarian legal order.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church does not accept the legalisation of categories such as "gender" or gender as "socially constructed roles", the statement said. The Holy Synod urges the National Assembly not to ratify the Convention.