Bulgarian hierarch: We do our best to ensure unity in Orthodoxy

Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv. Photo: podvorie-sofia.bg

Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv. Photo: podvorie-sofia.bg

The hierarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Nikolai (Sevastiyanov) of Plovdiv, said that the BOC is doing everything possible to ensure unity in Orthodoxy. The bishop said this on May 22, 2021, on the feast day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, after the Divine Liturgy at the Metochion of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, the press service of the Metochion reports.

After the festive divine service in the church of St. Nicholas of Myra, which was officiated by Metropolitan Nicholas, the rector of the Metochion, Archimandrite Vassian (Serpent), noted the joy of participation in the One Church of Christ and presented the bishop with a panagia with the image of the Mother of God, as well as a portrait of St. Seraphim, Archbishop of Boguchar, in memory of the common prayer.

The Bulgarian hierarch thanked for the great joy of serving the holy Divine Liturgy on the patronal feast of St. Nicholas church and "first of all, for the love, for the gesture that you have shown today to me and to our diocese."

“I assure you that we are doing everything possible fo unity in Holy Orthodoxy. We remember the covenant ‘to preserve the unity of spirit in the bond of peace’ (Ephesians 4: 3)," said the bishop of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, adding that" we will always be grateful and obliged with love to the Russian people. And we will work for the unity of Orthodox peoples.”

Earlier in an interview with the UOJ, Metropolitan Nikolai stated that he believed in overcoming the split in Ukraine.

SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says

According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.

Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia

During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris

Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.

Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit

More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.

Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk

Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.

Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death

The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.