Exarch Joseph (Josif)

Exarch Joseph (Josif) is known as a prominent figure in the Eastern Orthodox Church, particularly recognized as the Exarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church during the 19th century. An exarch typically serves as a senior bishop or leader representing a particular region or national church. Joseph was instrumental in the struggles for Bulgarian ecclesiastical autonomy from the Greek Patriarchate, advocating for the rights and identity of the Bulgarian people within the religious context. His efforts contributed significantly to the development of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the national revival movement during a time of cultural and political transformation in Bulgaria.