The Sliven Metropolis of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church responded to Metropolitan Luke’s criticism of the Synod of the Bulgarian Church

The Sliven Metropolis of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) issued an official statement expressing deep outrage over the remarks made by Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol. According to the Metropolis of Sliven, the Ukrainian hierarch took it upon himself to interfere in the internal affairs of the BOC by leveling accusations against members of the Holy Synod and Patriarch Daniel himself.

In his statement, Metropolitan Arsenius of Sliven emphasizes that the decision regarding the canonical visit of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople was adopted unanimously by the Synod. Attempts to portray Patriarch Daniel as a “victim” of a certain “hostile majority” are described in the text as baseless intrigues that only harm the Church’s authority and undermine the principles of conciliar governance.

““The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous church that independently resolves matters of its internal governance,” the statement notes. Metropolitan Luke is urged to respect the canonical limits of episcopal authority and to focus on the pastoral care of his own diocese, rather than spreading unverified rumors about the affairs of another local church.

In conclusion, the Metropolis of Sliven calls for episcopal prudence and expresses the hope that such public discussions will cease, as they create unnecessary tension among Orthodox believers. The authors of the statement emphasize their support for the people of Ukraine but insist on unconditional respect for the sovereignty and canonical order of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.