The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has expectedly condemned the Sofia Pride gay parade planned for June 30 in the capital.

In an official statement, the Holy Synod claims that "homosexuality is an unnatural passion that undoubtedly harms the personality, the family and the society."

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church declares that it strictly opposes the event, which it considers to be "immoral."

The statement further calls upon parents and teachers to prevent children from participating in the parade – or even witnessing it, claiming it would be a "harmful demonstration that violates the rights of Orthodox Christians."

June 30 will see the fifth edition of Sofia Pride, a march for equal rights of persons of different sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sofia Pride has so far been backed by the embassies of the USA, Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Germany, Slovenia, Finland and Norway, Austria, France and Switzerland and a number of non-governmental organizations.

Bulgaria's senior clergy was rattled by a scandal in January, as it turned out that most of its members are former Communist State Security spies.