Bulgarian Patriarch: Athos monasteries do not admit OCU clergy

OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko on Athos. Photo: OCU

On October 25, 2026, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria cited the position of Mount Athos monasteries in response to criticism of Patriarch Bartholomew's visit to Bulgaria, UOJ-Bulgaria reports.

"Did you know that the monasteries of Iviron, Vatopedi, Hilandar, and Zograf do not admit OCU clergy? Yet they have not broken communion with the Ecumenical Patriarch and continue to concelebrate with him," Patriarch Daniel told parishioners following the Liturgy at St. Nedelya Cathedral in Sofia.

The Patriarch posed what he called a "simple question of logic" to his critics: Do they break communion with those who visit Mount Athos and celebrate services there? "Then why do you demand an explanation from the Bulgarian Patriarch for concelebrating with the Ecumenical Patriarch?" he asked.

Patriarch Daniel recalled that guests from Serbia, along with the abbot of Hilandar Monastery, would be visiting the cathedral for the feast of St. King Stefan Milutin. He asked whether his critics would also condemn them.

"What, are they not Orthodox? Are those on the Holy Mountain not Orthodox?" the Primate asked.

He also pointed to the position of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who likewise does not receive OCU clergy but maintains communion with the Phanar.

"Why does the Serbian Church concelebrate with the Bulgarian Patriarch if the Bulgarian Patriarch has departed from Orthodoxy? Why does the Russian Church concelebrate with him? Why are we welcomed on Mount Athos?" Patriarch Daniel asked.

On October 19, 2026, Patriarchs Bartholomew and Daniel presided over the Liturgy at Rila Monastery marking the anniversary of St. John of Rila. During the Great Entrance, the head of the Phanar commemorated OCU leader Epifaniy Dumenko, prompting cries of "Anathema!" inside the church.

Recall that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church does not recognize the OCU.

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