Meanwhile the Bulgarian nation was agitated with the discussion of religious doctrines and ecclesiastical relations, and the Papists flooded the land with their publications.

When the anathema against the bishops was sent to the Bulgarian towns, the people in some places would not allow it to be read, and publicly burnt it.

They even caused a counter anathema to be read against the Greek Church.

They doubtless regarded this matter as wholly a religious one; but, in an evangelical point of view, it was little more than a national movement for securing their rights.

Sentiments were sometimes uttered, however, which strongly reminded one of the commencement of the Reformation in Germany.