Bulgarian Patriarch informs U.S. Ambassador about persecution of the UOC

Patriarch Daniel and the U.S. Ambassador. Photo: BOC

On August 20, a meeting took place in Sofia between Patriarch Daniel of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Kenneth Merten, the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria, during which issues of religious freedom worldwide were discussed, according to the press service of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC).

During the conversation, Patriarch Daniel expressed concern about the situation of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), noting that it faces "serious factual and legal restrictions" on its activities due to discriminatory policies in Ukraine. The Patriarch emphasized that the UOC, recognized by all Local Orthodox Churches, is subjected to "restrictions on freedom of religion, forced confiscation of church property, and the promotion of hate speech."

"Patriarch Daniel stressed that the UOC, with which all Local Orthodox Churches are in Eucharistic communion, is facing serious factual and legal restrictions in its pastoral activities as a result of discriminatory policies by certain forces in Ukraine," the press service statement said.

He expressed confidence that the democratic forces of the world would take notice of these alarming trends and support freedom of religion in Ukraine.

As previously reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists, Patriarch Daniel, in congratulating the Primate of the UOC on the anniversary of his enthronement, noted that strict adherence to canonical order is an important characteristic of His Beatitude, Primate of the brotherly Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

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