Bulgarian Church Synod supports Patriarch’s actions on ROC metochion

The Bulgarian Synod supports the Patriarch in the situation regarding the Russian Church metochion. Photo: Bulgarian Orthodox Church website

On 3 October 2023, the Synod of the Bulgarian Patriarchate made decisions regarding the situation around the ROC representation church in Sofia, reports the official website of the Church.

The text says that the synodals "fully support" the actions of Patriarch Neophytos "as Metropolitan of Sofia regarding the representation church of St Nicholas of Myra the Wonderworker in Sofia and a letter to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus".

The Synod "expresses the hope that the temple will be opened as soon as possible", but states that this issue "is not within the competence and authority of the BOC".

The synodals decided to send to the canonical-legal commission and analyse the statutes of the functioning of the metochion in Sofia and Moscow, "after which it (the Synod, - Ed.) will make a decision".

The text also says that Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin voted against the above decision, having a dissenting opinion on the issue of the Synod's support for the actions of Patriarch Neophytos.

As reported, after the expulsion by the authorities of the clerics of the ROC representation church in Sofia, Patriarch Neophytos decided to appoint priests of the Bulgarian Church to St Nicholas’s Church. However, the ROC stated that Bulgarian priests could not serve in the representation church.

Read also

Former MP: His Beatitude does not try to please anyone except God

Vadym Novynskyi emphasized that the Primate of the UOC does not seek awards from the authorities or likes on social media. His only aim is to remain faithful to God.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrates 80th birthday

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry was born on November 5, 1944, in Korytne, Chernivtsi region.

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.