Zoria on co-serving with BOC: Not recognition of OCU, but a line of thought

The co-service of the head of the Phanar, hierarchs of the BOC and representatives of the OCU in the temple of the Icon of the Mother of God ‘Life-Giving Source’ in Istanbul. Photo: religionpravda.com.ua

Spokesperson of the OCU Yevstratiy Zoria, who along with Avraamiy Lotysh concelebrated in Istanbul with several hierarchs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, in a comment to religionpravda, explained what, in his opinion, this was about.

He believes that this "historical event" only indicates the line of thought within the Bulgarian Church.

In response to the direct question of whether this is recognition of the OCU by the BOC, Zoria said, "The answer cannot be one-worded, because on the one hand – the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has created its commission to study all aspects related to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. No negative or positive decision has been made over this time, however, the event of joint service indicates the line of thought and positions that dominate in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church."

He hopes that further steps will definitely follow after the election of the Bulgarian Patriarch, on June 30.

As the UOJ wrote, Bulgarian media published a letter from the late Patriarch Neophyte to former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Andriy Parubiy, in which the Patriarch spoke about the attitude of the Bulgarian Church towards the UOC.

Read also

UOC's Social Department reports on aid provided during 1000 days of war

Millions of hryvnias in financial aid and hundreds of tons of humanitarian assistance were provided during this period.

On 1000th day of war, UOC opens exhibition dedicated to Church's mission

Before the exhibition's opening, a memorial service was held for those who perished and died during the war, as well as a prayer service for AFU soldiers and for Ukraine.

Zelensky on the Church: The era of those who sanctify terror is over

The President stated that in Ukraine, there is dialogue between the state and all religious communities.

Orthodox Church sacristan brutally murdered in Russia

The murdered man left behind three children.

Satanic show to be held in Prague as a counter to St. Nicholas feast

Terrifying creatures will scare children instead of giving them gifts.

Papal Nuncio in Kyiv: War is from the devil, it makes no sense

Visvaldas Kulbokas believes the Church's mission is to call for the urgent need to end the war.