BOC Synod explains Bartholomew's absence at Liturgy with Patriarch Daniel

Patriarchs Bartholomew of Constantinople and Daniel of Bulgaria during the enthronement. Photo: glasove

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church clarified a publication by the Bulgarian media "Glasove" dated July 1, 2024, titled "Bartholomew Ran Away from the Joint Liturgy with the Newly Elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel", the publication reports.

This concerns the first solemn liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, which was conducted on July 1, 2024, by the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel. The Bulgarian media reported that according to the program, the head of the Phanar was supposed to serve together with the Patriarch and the metropolitans of the Holy Synod.

The Synod explained that just before the election of the new Bulgarian Patriarch, a decision was made that the newly elected Primate of the BOC would lead the solemn liturgy.

"If the Patriarch of Constantinople had participated, he would have had to lead the service as the primate of the older see. There is no scandal, there is no escape. The decision was made by the Holy Synod even before the election of the Bulgarian Patriarch, and representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Local Orthodox Churches participated in the solemn liturgy mentioned in the article," the Holy Synod of the BOC told Glasove.

As the UOJ reported, Metropolitan Augustine of Bila Tserkva and Bohuslav participated in the enthronement of the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel on June 30 and July 1, 2024, in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, as a representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

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