Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil Meets with Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, Discussing Orthodoxy and Modern Technology

Bulgarian Orthodox Church & OCP News Service – 17/05/2025

Sofia – Bulgaria: His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil received Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki from the Greek Orthodox Church today, May 16, 2025, at the Holy Metropolitanate of Sofia. The meeting, held at the request of the Greek Metropolitan, focused on initiatives of the Greek Orthodox Church and an upcoming international conference on Orthodoxy and modern technologies.

Metropolitan Philotheos informed Patriarch Daniil about the ongoing celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of “Theology,” the official scientific and theological journal of the Greek Orthodox Church, published continuously since 1923. He highlighted the international theological conference held in Athens in 2023 for this occasion, which saw participation from the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Looking ahead, Metropolitan Philotheos introduced the upcoming international scientific conference scheduled for September of this year in Thessaloniki. This conference, a continuation of the anniversary celebrations, will explore the relationship between Orthodoxy and modern technologies and will gather scholars from various countries. On behalf of His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, Metropolitan Philotheos extended a formal invitation to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to participate in this significant academic forum. The conference program will also feature an exhibition of icons from Balkan countries dedicated to St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki.

The conversation took place in a spirit of brotherly love and Christian fellowship. At its conclusion, Patriarch Daniil and the Greek guests exchanged memorable gifts. This visit marks the first time Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki has visited Bulgaria. Earlier today, May 16, 2025, the Greek delegation paid their respects at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky and the ancient Church of St. Sophia – Wisdom of God.

Also present at the meeting were Metropolitan Grigory of Vratsa, Mr. Alexandros Katsiaras, Director of the Publishing Department of the Greek Orthodox Church, and Dr. Alexander Smochevski, Advisor on Canon Law Issues to the Metropolitan of Sofia and Bulgarian Patriarch.

Source:

OCP News Service