nce.

(M83) A little later in the same year, the Holy Father met with
unlooked-for consolation in the conversion of the Bulgarian nation. On the
20th December, bishops, priests, and a great many lay persons of that
country, abjured the Photian schism, and addressed to Rome a solemn act of
union in the name of the majority of their fellow-countrymen. Pius IX.
replied on the 29th of January, 1861. He was pleased himself to consecrate
in the Sistine chapel their new archbishop, Sokolski. The latter, as he
renewed the profession of faith, which had been already formulated in
writing at Constantinople, said to the Holy Father: "It is your work that,
although dead, we are come to life, and that, being lost, we are found
again." Pius IX. referred all the glory to God. "Such works," he said,
"are wholly divine. To Thee praise, benediction, everlasting thanks! O,
Jesus Christ! source of mercy and of all consolation!" The Bulgarians were
unfortunately situated. Jealousies of race prevailed among them, and did
much to shake religious principle. Add to this that the schismatical
Patriarch of Constantinople agreed to grant ecclesiastical autonomy, as it
might be called, to Bulgaria. This was a deadly blow to the noble impulse
which led them towards the centre of Christian unity. At first they were
three millions of Catholics. The number speedily diminished to some tens
of thousands. Archbishop Sokolski suddenly disappeared. It is not known
whether he abandoned his post or was carried away by force. The latter
supposition is, as yet, the more probable. He is thought to have been
recognized, several times, in a Russian monastery, whither he is supposed
to have been taken by surprise, and obliged to remain against his will.
Pius IX., understanding how necessary it was that the new flock should
have a resident pastor, appointed a provisional successor to Sokolski,
with the title of Administrator of the United Bulgarians, and labored
assiduously to found for him churches and schools. Three schismatical
Greek bishops, who had sought protection at Rome from the violent
proceedings of their patriarch, did not persevere any more than the
majority of the Bulgarians. A fourth, however, Melethios, Archbishop of
Drama, happily remained steadfast, together with the Protestant bishop of
Malta, another Protestant bishop, who was an American of the United
States, and several prelates of the Greek schism, Armenians, Chaldeans or
Copts. All these, abou