Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia: Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel Is Undergoing Unprecedented Pressure and Blackmail

Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol spoke out in support of Patriarch Daniel, the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), calling on the faithful to offer prayerful support rather than hasty condemnations. According to Glasove, the Bulgarian patriarch’s recent joint service with Bartholomew, head of the Church of Constantinople, at the Rila Monastery sparked a wave of criticism among conservative circles due to the mention of Epiphany Dumenko, the head of the so-called “OCU.”

In his statement, Metropolitan Luke emphasizes that criticism directed at Patriarch Daniel often ignores the context of the “undermining” pressure and threats he has faced since the beginning of his ministry. According to him, the patriarch is forced to operate in an extremely hostile intra-synodal environment, where his decisions are often constrained by the position of the majority of the episcopate. Blackmail through the threat of a church schism has become the primary tool for exerting influence on the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

“The Patriarch is not a soulless machine, but a living person bearing his cross under intense media pressure,” notes Metropolitan Luke. He points out that Patriarch Daniel’s stance on not recognizing the Ukrainian schismatic structures remains unchanged, despite his forced diplomatic engagements. In conclusion, the author calls on the Orthodox community not to give in to emotions and to offer their archpastor moral and prayerful support to help him withstand external and internal challenges.

As a reminder, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church previously issued an official statement in response to the public outcry arising in connection with the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who traveled to Bulgaria to participate in the celebrations commemorating St. John of Rila.