Bulgarian Patriarch discusses legalization of Old Calendarists with President

Bulgarian authorities meet with Patriarch Daniel and the Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Photo: trud.bg

On January 3, 2024, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev held a meeting with Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria and members of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), reports trud.bg.

The meeting addressed the implications of a court decision allowing the registration of a parallel Old Calendarist "Orthodox Church" and the Holy Synod's stance on the matter.

"The Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate is the institutional representative of Eastern Orthodoxy in the Republic of Bulgaria, with an undeniable historical contribution and a significant role in preserving national identity," stated the President.

Radev emphasized that the state, through its institutions, must ensure conditions for the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

He also noted that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has been and remains the spiritual backbone of the Bulgarian people.

"Risks threatening the Church must be regarded as threats to national unity and sovereignty," he added.

In response, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria stated that the Church has faced trials since its foundation by the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Throughout every era, the Church's children have encountered challenges that threatened its very existence, but it will endure until the end of time," he said.

The Patriarch stressed that, by its divine-human nature, the Church is one, and two Orthodox Churches cannot coexist on the same canonical territory.

"We hope that the state will act with wisdom and responsibility to preserve and strengthen what has already been achieved in the legislation, as this is the foundation for the unity and well-being of our people," His Holiness added.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to Patriarch Daniel, the registration of an Old Calendarist church leads to schism.

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