By LifeSiteNews (Politics) | Created at 2026-06-16 12:06:38 | Updated at 2026-06-17 06:39:14
18 hours ago
Tue Jun 16, 2026 - 7:54 am EDT
(LifeSiteNews) — Leaders from Orthodox Churches have spoken out against LGBT “pride” parades across Europe.
Over the past weekend, the Orthodox patriarchates of Bulgaria and Romania criticized pro-LGBT parades taking place in the traditionally Christian countries.
The Bulgarian Patriarchate said in a statement that humanity was created by God “as man and woman” and that the family is the natural environment for raising children, warning that “pride” parades promote views and behaviors that are “incompatible with Christian moral teaching.”
The patriarchate further stated that such messages are especially troublesome when they are directed at children and adolescents. The Bulgarian Orthodox leaders stressed that “the Church rejects no one and prays ceaselessly for every person,” and that its Church has a responsibility to bear witness to the Gospel and to protect the faithful from spiritual confusion.
Regarding the LGBT lifestyle and the alleged “freedom” that unrestricted sexual interactions bring, the statement said: “True freedom does not consist in yielding to every desire or longing, but in following the truth that leads people to the fullness of life in God.”
The patriarchate called on government institutions to support and protect marriage and the family, and to safeguard the spiritual and cultural values upon which Bulgarian society is built.
The Romanian Orthodox Church also criticized the “pride” events. It stated in a declaration that the LGBT movement endangers “social peace and mutual respect,” which are indispensable for the common good. Events such as Bucharest Pride could intensify confusion regarding spiritual values in a society already facing challenges such as demographic decline and social instability.
The Romanian Patriarchate also stressed that it does not support any form of abusive speech, slander, or violence against individuals identifying as LGBT, as it would contradict the Gospel of Christ. Orthodox Christians should be distinguished by peace, prayer, and respect for the dignity of every human being, the leadership of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasized.
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