Athonite hegumen supporting OCU meets with Bulgarian Patriarch
Patriarch Neophytos presents presenting a pectoral cross to hegumen Bartholomew. Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
On 25 September, Bulgarian Patriarch Neophytos received Hegumen Bartholomew of the New Esphigmenou Monastery of Athos, who is known for his support of the OCU, reports the Bulgarian Patriarchate's website.
Hegumen Bartholomew visited Patriarch Neophytos together with Metropolitan Emmanuel of Ptolemais of the Alexandrian Patriarchate, who is in Bulgaria at the invitation of the abbot of the Montenegrin Monastery of Sts Cosmas and Damian.
At the meeting, the guests thanked Patriarch Neophytos for the blessing to visit Bulgaria and the Sofia Eparchy and to participate in the feast of St Silouan of Athos at the Montenegrin Monastery, where they celebrated the Liturgy.
During the meeting, Metropolitan Emmanuel conveyed to Patriarch Neophytos greetings from Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria.
In turn, the Primate of the Bulgarian Church thanked the guests for their warm words and conveyed "sincere wishes" to his colleague Patriarch of Alexandria.
The website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate reports that "during the conversation, various topics related to the spiritual uplift of Orthodox Christians around the world were touched upon."
At the end of the meeting, Patriarch Neophytos gave the guests memorable gifts.
As reported, on 8 February 2019, the "bishop" of the OCU Pavel Yuristy and accompanying members of the delegation from the new church structure visited the Athonite monastery of New Esphigmenou, where they were warmly welcomed by Abbot Bartholomew.
Read also
Romanian media widely report on attempted seizure of Chernivtsi cathedral
The attempted seizure of the Chernivtsi cathedral, where services are conducted in Romanian, has caused concern in Romania.
Greek hierarch opposes introduction of new digital passports
Metropolitan Nektarios believes that new passports are "a threat of invisible slavery, which complete transparency and registration of a person's life can bring".
Synod of Greece: No theological grounds for disagreement with new passports
The Permanent Holy Synod believes that the new documents cannot be claimed to impose unconstitutional restrictions on individual freedoms.
Archbishop of Cyprus: Decision on Met Tychikos's appeal to be made in August
Archbishop Georgios of Cypros noted that until the final decision, Metropolitan Tychikos retains the presumption of innocence.
Estonian authorities pass anti-Church amendments
The Parliament of Estonia has adopted amendments to the law on churches – the opposition insists on the law's contradiction to the Constitution.
Court dimisses Metropolitan Luke’s lawsuit against Cherkasy mayor
The decision may still be appealed in a higher court.