Patriarch Bartholomew says his see ensures unity in Christ’s Body

Patriarch Bartholomew in Sofia. Photo: UOJ

During his visit to Bulgaria, Patriarch Bartholomew declared that the See of Constantinople is the guarantor of unity throughout the Orthodox Church. He made the statement during an official meeting with Patriarch Daniel and hierarchs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church at the Synodal Palace in Sofia, UOJ-Bulgaria reports.

"The Archbishop of Constantinople–New Rome has at all times been the visible and effective bond of unity of the ecclesial Body of the Lord and, at the same time, the guarantor of that unity, in accordance with the ordinances of the divine Fathers," Patriarch Bartholomew stated.

He acknowledged that these principles "may seem merely theoretical," but said they reflect "the narrow and sorrowful path that leads to life in Christ."

The head of the Phanar emphasized that he visits the Local Churches to "strengthen the unity of the Body of Christ" and "bear witness to the indivisibility of the Church." He also insisted that his visits are "not motivated by intentions foreign to the meek and humble spirit" of Christ.

"We experience in our hearts that 'Gethsemane anguish' and are filled with a fervent desire to preserve pan-Orthodox unity in peace, without upheavals or schisms," Patriarch Bartholomew said.

He described the Patriarchate of Constantinople as a "loving Mother" that has always sought "to restore order and unity amid turmoil and divisions." Addressing the Bulgarian bishops, the head of the Phanar said they had experienced "better than anyone else" its "long-suffering patience, freedom from resentment, and nobility."

Patriarch Bartholomew thanked Patriarch Daniel for his dedication to preserving Church unity "at a particularly difficult moment for Orthodoxy as a whole." He said he understood the issues being discussed among the Bulgarian episcopate and described those discussions as "healthy expressions of the Church's conciliar structure."

At the same time, the head of the Phanar insisted that Constantinople has "steadfastly followed the hallowed path of the Fathers."

"Never, for any reason, have we departed from what has been handed down to us. What the Church has done throughout the ages, we continue to do today," he emphasized.

Patriarch Bartholomew expressed hope that "the present difficulties are temporary and will pass," allowing the Local Churches to return to "unbroken unity."

Concluding his address, the head of the Phanar quoted the Russian Church's response to the 1902 encyclical of Patriarch Joachim III of Constantinople. The response states that each autocephalous Church is the Church of God only in communion with the other Orthodox Churches. If it loses that communion, it "will inevitably perish and wither, like a branch severed from the vine."

As the UOJ previously reported, Patriarch Daniel has consistently maintained his position of non-recognition of the OCU, with which the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is not in communion.

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