Bulgarian bishop to UOC: You are an example of true faith in Christ for us
Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech. Photo: a screenshot of Youtube channel ‘Ukrainska Pravoslavna Tserkva’ (‘Uktainian Orthodox Church’)
The hierarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech, sent His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the Ukrainian people congratulations on the upcoming Bright Resurrection of Christ.
The video congratulation of the Bulgarian hierarch to the brothers and sisters of fraternal Orthodox Ukraine was published by the UOC Information and Educational Department.
“With all my heart, I congratulate you on the greatest feast of Christ's Resurrection! I wish your country, your Holy Church spiritual prosperity! May the Lord bless beautiful Orthodox Ukraine, may He grant you the world of spiritual prosperity, well-being, and salvation for Christians,” Metropolitan Gabriel wished.
He stressed that the Bulgarian Church and the Ukrainian Church are one Body of Christ, and “brothers, if one rejoices, the other rejoices in him. If one suffers, the other is compassionate for him."
“So is our love – we rejoice at your successes, we rejoice in the fact that in all your difficulties you have a spiritual life, you have the faith that can be taken as an example,” the bishop continued. “History has shown that the Lord sends great leaders, great teachers during trials, especially to those nations that He loves. And right now, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has the greatest shepherd – Vladyka Onuphry, who is a man of holy life, a man of prayer, an ascetic. And we see that with his love, with his peace, he unites the children of the Orthodox Church, protects them from wolves, and with his prayers protects them from danger and temptations."
In conclusion, Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech wished the bishops of the UOC and their spiritual children that the Risen Lord would reward them for all their difficulties and grant everyone salvation.
“For us, you are an example of true faith in Christ! We ask your holy prayers! Christ is Risen! Truly Risen!" resumed the hierarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
As reported earlier, Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech concelebrated the Primate of the UOC at the Liturgy in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Read also
Vance praises Georgian patriarch's work
The U.S. vice president spoke positively about the role of the primate of the Georgian Church in preserving Christian values in the country.
UOC Social Department donates gaming consoles to children’s hospitals in Kyiv
The UOC Social Department delivered PlayStation 5 sets to seven pediatric hospitals in Kyiv, with a total value of 483,453 hryvnias.
Authorities seize icons and reliquary from Krupytskyi Monastery nuns
After the takeover of the UOC’s Krupytskyi Monastery, officials are preventing the sisters from recovering a reliquary and an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Mukachevo Eparchy priest receives commendations from AFU
Archpriest Vasyl Lomaha was presented with commendations from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the “Berehove Union of Mothers and Wives of ATO Participants.”
Court ruling bars Metropolis of Moldova faithful from entering a church
After a decision by the Supreme Court of Justice, police blocked Orthodox Church of Moldova faithful from accessing the church in the village of Dereneu.
Persecuted UOC community responds to OCU over claims of “discrediting Ukraine”
UOC parishioners say they have the right to appeal to international bodies when their rights are violated.