Illarion Makariopolsky Bishop of the Patriarchate of Constantinople of Bulgarian origin Date of Birth: 18.09.1812 Country: Bulgaria

1. Early Life and Education
2. Monastic Life and Education
3. Ecclesiastical and National Struggle
4. Schism and Excommunication
5. Bulgarian Exarchate and Final Years
6. Legacy and Death

Early Life and Education

Hilarian was born in 1812 in Elena, an Ottoman city with a Bulgarian population. Coming from a noble family with Georgian roots, he received his primary education in his hometown and later attended a Greek school in Arbanasi.

Monastic Life and Education

In 1832, Hilarian took monastic vows at the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos. He cared for the imprisoned Bulgarian writer Neophyte Bozveli and furthered his education at Theofilos Kairis' school and the Athenian Gymnasium for three years.

Ecclesiastical and National Struggle

Hilarian became a close associate of Georgi Rakovski and actively participated in the Macedonian Revolutionary Society. From 1844, he joined Neophyte Bozveli in the Bulgarian ecclesiastical and national struggle. Due to Russian diplomatic pressure, he was imprisoned on Mount Athos from 1845 to 1850.

Schism and Excommunication

On April 3, 1860, during the Easter liturgy in Constantinople, Hilarian omitted the name of the Patriarch of Constantinople, de facto declaring a schism. The authorities did not act on the Patriarchate's request for civil punishment, but the Holy Synod excommunicated Hilarian and other supporters.

Bulgarian Exarchate and Final Years

After the establishment of the Bulgarian Exarchate in 1870, Hilarian became a member of the Exarchate's Mixed Council and Synod. In 1872, he became the Metropolitan of Tarnovo. However, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople condemned him and other Bulgarian hierarchs as schismatics in 1872.

Legacy and Death

Hilarian died in 1875 and was buried in the yard of the Church of St. Stephen in Constantinople. His legacy remains as a controversial figure who played a significant role in the Bulgarian national and ecclesiastical movement.