Bulgarian Patriarch: There are significant obstacles to recognizing OCU
Patriarch Daniil. Photo: Martin Karbovski
In an extensive interview with Bulgarian journalist Martin Karbovski, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil touched upon the pressing issue of the church situation in Ukraine, noting serious canonical obstacles to recognizing the structure created by Constantinople. This is reported by UOJ in Bulgaria.
"11 out of a total of 15 Orthodox Churches have not recognized this church structure, which the Patriarch of Constantinople recognized and formed at that time," emphasized Patriarch Daniil, commenting on the situation around the OCU. According to the head of the BOC, the interrupted Christian communion between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople occurred "due to the interference of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the affairs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church".
The Patriarch explicitly stated that there are “significant canonical obstacles” to recognizing the newly created structure.
According to him, the Bulgarian Church has taken a special position in the emerging conflict, maintaining communion with both sides. "We have not broken communion, and I think this is a reasonable approach – so that the geopolitical dispute and the war in Ukraine finally find a peaceful solution and the church issue is resolved», stated the Bulgarian Patriarch.
Earlier, UOJ wrote that the Patriarch of Bulgaria explained why his Church does not recognize the OCU.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.