The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has unanimously opposed the proposal to rename the square in front of the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Sofia. This decision, announced on December 17, was reported by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and published on the official website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.  

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the principal church of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and the square currently bears the name "Alexander Nevsky Square." A recent proposal by a group of local deputies suggested renaming it in honor of St. John of Rila, the patron saint of the Bulgarian Church. The initiative has sparked a wide-ranging public debate.  

In its resolution, the Holy Synod emphasized that the square's name should remain unchanged as it is historically and spiritually linked to the cathedral and the history of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church over the past century. The Synod further noted that in EU countries, squares and streets surrounding major churches typically retain their historical names, irrespective of political changes. Examples cited include prominent squares in Brussels, Rome, Venice, and Milan.  

Patriarch Daniel of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, in an interview with Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), also rejected the idea of renaming the cathedral or square. He recalled that the cathedral was commissioned by the Constituent Assembly in 1879 in honor of St. Alexander Nevsky, a Russian national hero and saint, as a tribute to Russia for liberating Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.  

"We must respect the will and efforts of those who built this cathedral despite changes in power and hardships. This cathedral is not only a symbol of faith but also a legacy from our ancestors that we must preserve for future generations," the Patriarch stated.  

The proposal to rename Alexander Nevsky Square to St. John of Rila Square was introduced by municipal deputies Vili Lilkov, Ivan Sotirov, and Ivaylo Yonkov from the "Blue Sofia" coalition. The authors argued that St. Alexander Nevsky is connected to Russian history rather than Bulgaria's national identity. They believe the new name would better represent Bulgarian identity, as St. John of Rila is the patron saint of the Bulgarian Church and one of its most venerated figures.