Welcome to Our Inclusive Christian Community

The Apostolic Old Catholic Mission is the English-language ministry of the Bulgarian Old Catholic Church—rooted in apostolic succession, centred on the sacraments, and guided by the conviction that Christ is at the Centre and everyone is welcome at the Table.

Our Purpose

Mission and Vision of Our Mission

Exterior of St George Chapel, principal worship site of the Bulgarian Old Catholic Church and the location of Apostolic Old Catholic Mission clergy ordinations

Our Mission

To create a warm, inclusive, and spiritually grounded space where all are welcomed into the ancient Christian faith—regardless of background, questions, or past experiences. As a mission rooted in apostolic succession and sacramental life, we seek to foster authentic community and personal transformation through reverent worship, pastoral care, and a commitment to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our time.

Our Vision

To be a vibrant, Christ-centred Catholic community—faithful to the witness of the early Church, nourished by the sacraments, and guided by apostolic tradition. We envision a mission that welcomes all seekers with sincerity, humility, and love; a place where spiritual depth, pastoral integrity, and mutual belonging reflect the radical hospitality of Christ, who calls everyone to the Table.

Introduction

Who We Are

We are an independent Old Catholic mission with full sacramental life, valid apostolic succession, and a liturgical rhythm grounded in the early Church. While we are not under the Pope or the Roman Catholic Church, we are truly Catholic in faith, worship, and ministry.
Our clergy are ordained within apostolic succession. Our sacraments—especially the Eucharist, Baptism, and Holy Orders—are valid, grace-filled, and administered with reverence and theological integrity. Our liturgy is rooted in ancient tradition, expressed in accessible language, and offered in a spirit of prayerful hospitality.
We affirm the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the teachings of the first seven Ecumenical Councils, and the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church today.

We invite all to explore the ancient faith that shapes our worship and mission.
→ Read our full Statement of Faith – What We Believe

Iconostasis and altar space inside St George Chapel, where the Bulgarian Old Catholic Church hosts ordinations for the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission

Download Our Ecclesiology and Doctrine

Download the Ecclesiology and Doctrine of the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission in PDF format

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The Basics

What Is Old Catholicism?

Old Catholicism is a stream of the Catholic tradition that continues the apostolic faith and sacraments of the early Church—without papal infallibility or centralised Roman authority.
Old Catholics affirm the creeds, celebrate the seven sacraments, and maintain valid apostolic succession. We are Catholic in theology and worship, but governed locally and pastorally.

Stained glass window depicting saints and martyrs in traditional Catholic style, reflecting the sacred visual heritage of the apostolic Church

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Learn more about Old Catholicism and our historical foundations

Learn about old catholicism

Our Relationship with the Bulgarian Old Catholic Church

The Apostolic Old Catholic Mission (the Mission) is canonically established under the care of the Bulgarian Old Catholic Church. This registered religious body in Bulgaria preserves valid apostolic succession and celebrates the historic sacraments of the Church. Our Mission exists with the blessing and oversight of Archbishop Svetoslav, who ordained our founding priest in 2025 at St George Chapel in Negushevo.

Although we operate with a high degree of local freedom, we remain spiritually accountable to the Archbishop and united in sacramental theology and apostolic order. This allows us to respond faithfully to the needs of English-speaking Catholics, while remaining part of a legitimate and historically grounded Church.

The Mission continues to grow as a spiritual home for English-speaking Christians who long for Catholic worship grounded in apostolic succession, yet free from institutional rigidity.

What Makes Our Mission Distinct

  • Apostolic Faith, Lived Locally: We teach and practice the faith of the early Church, shaped by the creeds, sacraments, and apostolic witness.
  • Sacramental Life: All seven sacraments are celebrated, with preparation, reverence, and pastoral care.
  • Pastoral Inclusivity: We welcome all who sincerely seek Christ—without the barriers of status, denomination, orientation, or background.
  • Liturgical Depth: Our worship is rooted in tradition, not theatricality. We do not aim for performance—we aim for sacred space.
  • Conscience and Community: We encourage thoughtful reflection, spiritual formation, and shared discernment within the Body of Christ.

Learn More

Want to know more about our theology, sacramental practice, and ecclesial identity?

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