Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel called for a measured approach to the issue of the Ukrainian church schism

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria issued an official statement regarding the position of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) on the ecclesiastical issue in Ukraine, calling on the public to avoid speculation and unfounded accusations. According to Patriarch Daniel, the BOC adheres to a principled and balanced course of action that is not limited to serving the interests of individual centers of influence.

As the head of the BOC emphasized, after the Patriarchate of Constantinople granted the Tomos to the new church structure in Ukraine in 2019, the Bulgarian Church adopted a wait-and-see stance and has not recognized this decision to date. Patriarch Daniel noted that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church shares the view of the majority of local Orthodox Churches, which continue to recognize as canonical only the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the primacy of Metropolitan Onufry.

Responding to accusations of a “pro-Moscow” stance, the patriarch recalled that the Bulgarian Church has not severed Eucharistic communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and continues to celebrate joint divine services with it. This approach, he said, is strictly canonical and aligns with the position of several other autocephalous churches, such as the Albanian Orthodox Church.

In concluding his address, the Patriarch of Bulgaria called on “experts” on social media to exercise restraint and respect for the institution of the Church, emphasizing that spreading misinformation and inciting controversy carries serious spiritual and social responsibility.