Kyoseva, Maria2025-02-152025-02-1520230861-3184https://doi.uni-plovdiv.bg/handle/store/566This study provides a comparative analysis of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate (BOC-BP) and other legal entities –religious denominations, non-profit legal entities, commercial companies,based on which generalizations are made about the similarities and differ-ences of the BOC-BP as a unique public entity from the other legal entities.This implies an analysis of the characteristics and classifications of legalentities depending on various criteria, in order to outline in this context thespecific features of the BOC-BP as a legal entity recognized by law. Empha-sis is placed on the distinction between the creation and recognition of a legalentity ex lege, as well as on the existence of religious belief, which makesreligious denominations a special category of legal entities. It is concludedthat BOC-BP differs both from the state and from other legal entities, whichgives reason to define it as a special legal entity of private law with devia-tions from the corporate nature of classic legal entities.otherBulgarian Orthodox Churchlegal entity under the lawreligious beliefArticle