Bulgarian hierarch comments on Patriarch Daniel's visit to Istanbul

Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Daniel. Photo: Orthodoxia News Agency

The hierarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Ioan of Varna and Veliki Preslav, commented on Patriarch Daniel's visit to Istanbul in an interview with btv Novinite.

The Metropolitan described the first peaceful visit of the Bulgarian Patriarch to Phanar as "a manifestation of respect from both sides".

The hierarch noted that the culmination of the visit was the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint George the Great Martyr, where the Primates of the Churches concelebrated.

"Whatever difficulties exist in these complex church relations, ultimately they have led to the fact that today two Patriarchs sit on one throne," said Metropolitan Ioan.

The Bulgarian hierarch also commented on the issue of recognizing the OCU: "This is a very complex and delicate issue, and its resolution will not be easy. Moreover, out of 14 local churches, 10 have not recognized the Orthodox Church (OCU – Ed.)."

Metropolitan Ioan emphasized that the presence of OCU representatives at the service was discussed personally by the Patriarchs: "At the meeting in Thessaloniki, in a personal conversation, the two Patriarchs clarified and agreed that there would be no concerns regarding the presence of representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew commemorated the head of the OCU in the presence of the Bulgarian Patriarch.

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