The bishop, who outraged Bulgaria's church and public by conferring a high-ranking title on a local businessman, surprisingly came out of hiding to defend himself.

"The independence of our church is threatened," Bishop Galaktion said in a statement, circulated to the media on Thursday. He reacted to a statement by Bulgaria's Holy Synod, which officially announced it does not recognize the title conferred on businessman Slavi Binev.

Slavi Binev, a key figure in Bulgaria's restaurateur business, was blessed as an archon at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome on January 3, sparking tension between Sofia and the Vatican.

The title of archon does not exist in the traditions and structures of the Bulgarian Orthodox church. Bishop Galaktion, however, claims that the was right to revive the title, fully aware he was not acting on behalf of the Holy Synod.

According to Galaktion, the statement of the Holy Synod is not ethical, as it was issued after a meeting, which he skipped due to illness.

Despite the international scandal, he hopes that the headline-making event will bring closer Christians around the world.

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