Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU will not take part in services at Phanar

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria. Photo: Glasove

In December 2025, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel stated that representatives of the OCU would not participate in joint services at the Phanar during his upcoming peace visit to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He said this in a Christmas conversation, published by the publication "Glasove".

According to the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Church’s position regarding the OCU remains unchanged. “The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has not recognized the OCU and does not mention it in the diptychs,” Patriarch Daniel emphasized.

He noted that this position had been clearly stated in advance and taken into account during preparations for the visit. “An agreement was reached that, during concelebration, there would be no participation by hierarchs of this church structure,” the Patriarch said, adding that the corresponding commitment had been undertaken by the Ecumenical Patriarch.

At the same time, Patriarch Daniel stressed that disagreements over the OCU do not mean a rupture in communion. “The path to overcoming disagreements is not rupture and confrontation, but the preservation of communion with a clear and honest confession of one’s position and trust in the conciliar voice of the Church,” he said.

Speaking more broadly about ecclesiastical and public life, the Primate noted that without the peace of Christ any changes remain temporary. “Disagreements are healed by love and forgiveness, not by conflict,” the Bulgarian Patriarch concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Ukrainian officials discussed the OCU's presence on the island with the Archbishop of Cyprus.

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