Another diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is taking a stand against the un-Orthodox practice of cremation.

A message on the official website of the Metropolis of Plovdiv states succinctly: “The Holy Metropolis of Plovdiv is organizing in Plovdiv churches a petition against exploitative crematoriums and the burning of people on the territory of the city of Plovdiv.”

According to tvsatcom.bg, one crematorium has been operating in Plovdiv for several years, with a capacity of 1,500-3,000 cremations a year.

About five years ago, the local faithful, with the support of the Church, were able to block the construction of another crematorium. His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv attended a public demonstration, condemning the construction of a new crematorium as blasphemous and soul-destroying.

In June 2018, another Bulgarian hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioann of Varna spoke out against the construction of a crematorium in his city.

Hierarchs of the Greek Church have characterized the building of a crematorium in Patras as “war against the Church.” The Church of Cyprus announced in April 2016, that it will not celebrate funerals for those who have been cremated. (Quelle: www.orthochristian.com, 14. Februar 2022)