Bulgarian Nationalists Play Prank on Lincoln-Driving Bishop

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid driven by Bulgaria's Varna bishop Kiril. Photo by Impact Press / DarikNews.bg

A charity event was held to gather money for a new car for Varna Bishop Kiril in front of the main cathedral in the Bulgarian city Sunday.

Metropolitan bishop for Varna and Veliki Preslav Kiril gained notoriety early December, when he turned up for service in a luxury Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, 2012 make.

Sunday activists from nationalist Bulgarian website Buditeli.net gathered donations in front of the Varna Dormition of Mary Cathedral for a new car, since it turned out the Lincoln was owned by businessmen friends of Kiril.

"We wanted to wreak irony of the impudence and abuse by so-called "spiritual men" in Bulgaria. They only contribute to degrading Christianity in the eyes of Bulgarians," commented an indignant activists.

Bishop Kiril appeared in his luxury car for service at the great Christian Orthodox holiday St. Nicholas' Day, December 6.

He went on to brag that he owned a car model from next year, which was still not released for regular sale, adding that "Only US President Barack Obama drives such a car."

This immediately provoked outcry among Bulgarian laity. Contrary to reports issued a day later, metropolitan Kiril did not resign from office.

It later transpired that the Lincoln is owned by the Armira 2010 company, the owners of which are close to Kiril and participate in the bishopric's board of trustees.

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