Patriarch Daniel voices support for Jerusalem Church amid attacks in Israel

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria. Photo: UOJ collage

On March 30, 2026, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel held a phone conversation with Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III, during which he expressed deep concern over the continuing military hostilities in the Middle East, according to the official website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.

During the conversation, the primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church drew particular attention to troubling reports of armed clashes and of restrictions on believers’ access to the Church of the Resurrection. For his part, Patriarch Theophilos briefed the head of the Bulgarian Church on the current situation in Jerusalem and the wider region. He assured him that services during Holy Week and the Paschal season would not be interrupted, and that representatives of the Local Churches, as in previous years, would be able to enter the church to receive the Holy Fire.

Patriarch Daniel expressed support for the ancient Jerusalem Patriarchate, which he called the “Mother of Churches.” The head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church also stressed his solidarity with its “much-suffering flock,” which is now enduring severe trials.

“The Orthodox Bulgarian people pray every day for the holy Church of Zion and for all those suffering from military conflicts,” Patriarch Daniel said during the conversation.

At the end of their exchange, the two primates expressed their hopes for peace in the Middle East and throughout the world, and also voiced their hope for a bright celebration of the “Feast of Feasts” – the Resurrection of the Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the heads of the Churches of Jerusalem had called for peace in their Paschal message.

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