The Greek-Bulgarian church question in the assessments of K. N. Leontiev and I. S. Palmov

This article examines the perspective on the history of the Bulgarian Church’s acquisition of independence as presented in the works of the prominent Russian religious philosopher and publicist K. N. Leontiev and the Slavist scholar, Professor at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Doctor of Church History I. S. Palmov. This approach is of particular interest because K. N. Leontiev, by virtue of his diplomatic service, was deeply immersed in the political processes of the Balkan region and was well-informed about the internal currents within the Bulgarian elite. In turn, I. S. Palmov, specializing in the history of the Orthodox faith in Slavic countries, provided a detailed analysis of the initial organization of the Bulgarian Exarchate Church from the moment it had received the formal document of independence up to the establishment of new boundaries according to the “Treaty of Berlin.” I. S. Palmov relied on legislative monuments in his article. For his part, K. N. Leontiev provided an analysis of the situation based on his personal experience acquired during his diplomatic service in the region. Through this analysis, one can form an idea of the documentary data related to the studied issue, as well as the currents and sentiments that prevailed in Bulgarian society.