Head of Phanar absent from celebrations in honor of new BOC Patriarch

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: glasove.com

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew did not appear at the solemn liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky, which was performed on July 1, 2024, by the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel. According to the Bulgarian media "Glasove", the program initially included a joint service with the metropolitans of the Holy Synod.

"The clergy and choir of the patriarchal cathedral were informed in advance that the solemn service the day after the elections would be led by the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch together with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. However, this did not happen," writes the publication.

It is noted that the head of Phanar did not come to the church but sent his representatives to participate in the service.

According to Glasove sources, Bartholomew did not attend the celebratory dinner in honor of the newly elected patriarch last evening but instead flew to Istanbul.

Bulgarian journalists speculate that the behavior of the head of Phanar indicates his disappointment with the election of Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin as the Primate of the BOC. In particular, the metropolitan has openly criticized the Ecumenical Patriarchate for its uncanonical actions in support of the OCU in Ukraine over the past few years.

As the UOJ previously reported, the candidate for the position of Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin, criticized Patriarch Bartholomew's actions in creating the OCU, stating that the granting of the Tomos led to increased persecution of the UOC.

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