President Radev and Patriarch Daniil Address Risks of Parallel ‘Orthodox Church’ in Bulgaria

OCP News Service – 03/01/2025

Sofia – Bulgaria: His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, accompanied by Metropolitans Anthony of Western and Central Europe, John of Varna and Velikopreslav, Seraphim of Nevrokop, Cyprian of Stara Zagora, and Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, General Secretary of the Holy Synod, met with President Rumen Radev today, January 3, 2025, to discuss critical issues concerning the unity and role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Kyoseva, Legal Advisor to the Holy Synod, also attended the meeting.

Patriarch Daniil briefed President Radev on the implications of a recent court ruling regarding the potential registration of a parallel “Orthodox Church” in Bulgaria. He shared the Holy Synod’s firm stance against any division that could undermine the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

President Radev reaffirmed the Church’s vital role in Bulgaria’s national identity and unity. “The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is the institutional expression of the Eastern Orthodox confession in Bulgaria, with an undeniable historical contribution and a huge role in our national identity,” said President Radev. He stressed that any threat to the Church’s unity is a threat to Bulgaria’s sovereignty and emphasized the state’s responsibility to protect the Church’s integrity.

In response, Patriarch Daniil expressed gratitude for the Bulgarian state’s recognition of the Church’s historical role, especially after a period of atheistic governance. “The Church has guided our people on the path of truth and unity, fostering the eternal virtues of Christ, which are integral to our national identity,” he said.

Reflecting on past challenges, Patriarch Daniil emphasized the importance of learning from historical divisions, such as the schism that once disrupted the Church and society. He urged the state to maintain its commitment to cooperation with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which he described as essential for Bulgaria’s spiritual and national cohesion.

This meeting on January 3, 2025, underscored the enduring relationship between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the state, highlighting their shared commitment to unity and national stability amidst contemporary challenges.

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Source:

OCP News Service