Bulgarian Church invites Patriarch Bartholomew to October celebrations
Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Daniel. Photo: Bulgarian Orthodox Church website
The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has officially invited Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to take part in celebrations honoring St. John of Rila, according to Orthodoxia News Agency.
A church delegation led by Metropolitan Naum of Ruse visited the Phanar to personally convey the invitation and greetings on behalf of Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel. The meeting took place at the Church of St. Kyriaki in Istanbul during a festive Divine Liturgy. The Bulgarian delegation also included Bishop Gerasim of Melnik and Dr. Alexander Smochevsky.
The visit of the head of the Constantinople Church is planned as part of the celebrations marking the 1,150th anniversary of the birth and the 1,080th anniversary of the repose of Bulgaria’s heavenly patron, St. John of Rila. The commemorative events will be held in Bulgaria from October 16 to 20, 2026. Following the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the Bulgarian representatives with a welcoming speech.
As the UOJ reported, clergy and laity have called on the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Church to speak out in defense of the UOC.
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