Patriarch Bartholomew not to concelebrate with Bulgarian Church Primate
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Photo: newsbomb.gr
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople will not concelebrate with Patriarch Daniel, Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, during his visit to Bulgaria at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Sofia, UOJ-Bulgaria reports.
The Ecumenical Patriarch will attend Sunday's Divine Liturgy in Sofia only as a guest.
The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church had previously published the schedule for Patriarch Bartholomew's visit, which indicated that both Primates would preside over the service at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. However, the planned concelebration of the two Patriarchs at Rila Monastery has not been canceled.
Ahead of Patriarch Bartholomew's visit, more than 2,000 clergy, monastics, and laypeople of the Bulgarian Church sent an open letter to Patriarch Daniel and the Holy Synod demanding that they prevent a concelebration with Patriarch Bartholomew. Among their objections, the signatories warned that a joint Liturgy would legitimize the schism.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the head of the Phanar commemorated Dumenko during a Liturgy with the Patriarchs of Bulgaria and Romania.
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