Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia protested on Sunday against the closure of the Russian Orthodox Church after its head and two clergymen (of Belarusian nationality) were expelled from the country, accused of actions against Bulgarian interests.

The church, which is also popular among Bulgarians, was closed on Friday after accusations were made by Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov during events marking the country’s Independence Day, DPA and Agerpres reported.

On Sunday, believers lit candles and laid flowers in front of the church. They also became a live chain, blocking traffic on the central road, dpa reported, without specifying the number of protesters.

Metropolitan Naum of Ruse (Bulgarian Orthodox Church) also called for the re-opening of the temple in a message published on Facebook.

No specific charges have been brought against the three expelled clerics, Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova said in a statement published on the Russian embassy’s website.

Earlier, the Russian diplomatic mission in Sofia reported that Bulgaria had expelled the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Bulgaria, Archimandrite Vassian, and two other clergymen.

The Russian Orthodox Church supported Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Tensions between Russia and Bulgaria peaked in 2022, when 70 Russian diplomats and embassy staff were expelled on suspicion of espionage. Bulgaria, a former member of the Eastern Bloc, is part of the European Union and NATO.