Bulgarian theologian comments on the suspension of a cleric who concelebrated with the OCU

Theologian Valentin Velchev drew attention to the fact that Bulgarian Archimandrite Nikanor (Mishkov), who was suspended by the Bulgarian Church for rude remarks directed at Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel, had previously concelebrated with representatives of the OCU without authorization. This is reported by Valentin Velchev's blog.

According to the theologian, as early as May 2024, the archimandrite concelebrated with OCU "priests" at a Montenegrin monastery without a decision from the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Church, and publicly declared the "establishment of Eucharistic communion" with Dumenko's structure. The current punishment — a 15-day suspension from ministry, which took effect on July 29, 2026 — was a consequence of the cleric's participation on July 9–10 in the celebrations marking the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, organized by the OCU. The archimandrite claimed that he had received a blessing to concelebrate personally from OCU head Serhiy Dumenko, referring to him as a "canonical hierarch on Ukrainian territory."

Priests of the Sofia Eparchy have already distanced themselves from their fellow cleric's actions, characterizing his statements as "public self-expression without spiritual and canonical responsibility." In accordance with the Charter of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, ecclesiastical disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against the archimandrite, which will be examined by the Sofia Eparchial Court.

As the UOJ previously reported, the Bulgarian Patriarch had earlier stated that there are significant obstacles to recognizing the OCU. The Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church repeatedly pointed out that the tomos of autocephaly was granted to two schismatic structures despite the existence of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and that the OCU "clergy" lack apostolic succession.

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