Bulgarian Patriarch appoints priests to church whose ROC clergy were ousted
Priests of the Bulgarian Church, who were appointed by Patriarch Neophytos to the representation ROC church in Sofia. Photo: the Bulgarian Church website
On September 25, 2023, Patriarch Neophytos appointed clerics from the Bulgarian Church to the St. Nicholas Church, a metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia, reports the website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.
"His Holiness Patriarch Neophytos of Bulgaria, in fulfilling his responsibilities as the Metropolitan of Sofia, in whose diocese the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra is located, personally appointed priests from Sofia who will take care of the church and perform regular services," the statement said.
According to the published information, the Bulgarian Church guarantees that "no part of the church's property will be lost or damaged".
"His Holiness' actions are motivated by concern for the faithful, the preservation of order in the church, and should only be understood in a spiritual aspect. They do not affect real or other rights guaranteed by secular laws to anyone," the text stated.
It is also reported: "His Holiness Patriarch Neophytos of Bulgaria informed Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus about the actions taken in his special letter."
As earlier reported, Bulgaria expelled priests of the ROC representation church in Sofia from the country.
Read also
OCU chaplain: A soldier should not feel guilty for killing enemies
According to a cleric of the OCU, the word “killing” should not even be used in this context.
AFU servicewoman punished by “being sent to the frontline” for defending UOC
An OCU representative explained how commanders punish UOC believers who defend their Church.
UOC church seized after OCU's and UGCC's provocation at soldier's funeral
Supporters of the UGCC brought the body of a soldier into the church, pressuring a UOC priest to conduct the funeral according to the Greek Catholic rite in an Orthodox church.
UOC hierarch calls on the faithful to pray for the return of seized shrine
Metropolitan Theodosiy urged the faithful to communal and personal prayer to Archangel Michael.
Russian Orthodox Church Primate: Christ did not condemn death penalty
The Patriarch added that, although the Church does not welcome the death penalty, it has never condemned it if this punishment is carried out in accordance with the law.
Metropolitan Jonathan appeals sentence to Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has requested criminal case files from the Vinnytsia City Court for cassation review.