Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel receives Phanar delegation in Sofia

on March 12, 2026, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria received a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople at the headquarters of the Holy Metropolis of Sofia in Sofia. The delegation included Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Kirill of Imvros and Tenedos, as well as Archimandrite Aetius, a great churchman and chief of staff of the Patriarch of Constantinople. This was reported by Orthodox Times.

The meeting was also attended by Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop and Bishop John of Branitsa, the first vicar of Sofia. During the conversation, the delegation conveyed fraternal greetings from Patriarch Bartholomew to Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria. They also recalled the memorable moments of the peaceful visit of Patriarch Daniel to Phanar last December and emphasized the importance of continuing the dialogue for the unity of the Holy Orthodox Church.

The delegation informed the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church about the upcoming celebrations in honor of the 35th anniversary of the patriarchal ministry and the 65th anniversary of the ordination of Patriarch Bartholomew as a deacon. The celebrations are scheduled to take place on the island of Imvros, the Patriarch’s homeland. The meeting ended in a spirit of cordiality and fraternal communion in Christ.

Earlier, we reported that the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), Patriarch Daniel, spoke on a number of topical issues related to the unity of Orthodox and Catholics and relations with the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Patriarch Daniel paid special attention to the issue of recognizing the Ukrainian schism. The head of the BOC is convinced that the recognition of the OCU by the Patriarchate of Constantinople is not a reason to break relations with Phanar.