The Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate is the institutional expression of the Eastern Orthodox confession in the Republic of Bulgaria with an undeniable historical contribution and a huge role for our national identity. This was stated by the Head of State Rumen Radev at a meeting with His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil and members of the Holy Synod today at “Dondukov“ 2.
Patriarch Daniil informed President Radev of the consequences of the final court decision on the possibility of registering a parallel “Orthodox Church“ and with the position of the Holy Synod on the topic.
During the conversation, Rumen Radev pointed out that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is one and indivisible, has been and will remain a spiritual pillar in the vicissitudes of our centuries-old history.
We hope that the state, represented by the institutions, will have the wisdom and statesmanship to preserve and build on what has once been achieved in legislation, because this is a pledge for the unity and well-being of our people, His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch also stated.
The conversation was attended by Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe, Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliko Preslav, Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop, Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Kyoseva, legal advisor to the Holy Synod.
„Therefore, the risks facing it should be viewed as threats to our national unity and sovereignty“, the head of state emphasized.
According to the president, despite the sharp political opposition, the state through its institutions must be able to guarantee the conditions for the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
The head of state also emphasized the determination of the presidential institution to contribute to the achievement of this nationally responsible goal.
Trials have accompanied the Church since the birth of its Founder - Lord Jesus Christ, Patriarch Daniil stated during the meeting and added that in every era its children have been faced with challenges that have threatened its very existence, but it will endure until the end of time. The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that by its Divine-human nature the Church is one and according to its internal rules there cannot be two Orthodox churches in one canonically occupied territory. In his words, in this unity it has contributed to the unification and preservation of our people.