In Bulgaria, there are calls to convene a Council to discuss Tomos for OCU

Vasilianna Merkheb. Photo: Bnr

Church analyst and theologian Vasilianna Merkheb urged the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to initiate the convening of an All-Orthodox Council to address the crisis that has arisen after the granting of the Tomos of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). In an interview with Radio Bulgaria, Merkheb recalled that a similar council took place in Sofia 26 years ago, in 1998, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church successfully overcame a schism within its ranks.

"Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte was the first to respond, doing so in the most heartfelt and fraternal tone, both spiritually and prayerfully, as well as in a protective manner, against the persecutions in Ukraine," the theologian noted. She also added that seven other Local Churches subsequently expressed their reactions: the Antiochian, Jerusalem, Russian, Serbian, Albanian, Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, as well as the Orthodox Church of North Macedonia.

The church analyst emphasized that despite the decision of the Bulgarian Synod to award Patriarch Bartholomew for overcoming the schism, questions arise regarding the specific merits referred to. According to her, Patriarch Bartholomew not only once attempted to persuade Patriarch Maxim to resign in favor of the schismatics but also continues to perceive the Bulgarian Church as an exarchate.

"This is why it is extremely necessary to initiate an All-Orthodox Council. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church, being one of the oldest bastions of Orthodoxy, which provided the Ukrainian Church with literacy and liturgical books, should help it by taking on the organization of such a council aimed at healing yet another schism and preventing its spread throughout the Orthodox world," Vasilianna Merkheb emphasized.

As reported by the UOJ, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, at its latest meeting, decided to award the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew for his merits in overcoming the church schism. According to Bulgarian religious scholar Vasilianna Merkheb, "this contradicts reality, putting the conscience of many to the test."

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