Bulgarian Patriarchate Condemns Strike on Church in Gaza and Calls for End to Hostilities

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has strongly condemned the recent Israeli military strike on the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, which resulted in civilian casualties. The Synod called this attack part of “an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” unfolding in the region. The statement was reported by Orthodoxia News Agency.

“For months, the global community has witnessed the harsh siege of the Gaza Strip… Thousands have already died. Two million people are condemned to a lack of food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel, while bombs continue to fall on their heads,” the statement reads. The Patriarchate emphasized that indiscriminate attacks on churches, civilians, children, and the sick violate all principles of morality, law, and the divine Gospel.

The Church called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the blockade, guaranteed humanitarian access, the release of hostages, and the establishment of conditions for a just peace. “This collective punishment of hundreds of thousands of innocent people… contradicts international law and the Gospel,” the Synod stated, quoting Genesis 4:10: “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.”

The Bulgarian Patriarchate also warned that the inaction of the international community constitutes complicity: “It is sin to know the good you ought to do and not do it” (James 4:17). The Church urged that compassion should prevail over revenge, and justice over war: “Let the voice of compassion prevail over the voice of weapons.”

In conclusion, the Synod expressed support for the Jerusalem Patriarchate, including Patriarch Theophilos III, Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias, and all the faithful in Gaza: “May the All-Merciful God protect His innocent children and remind all those responsible of their duty to restore peace!”

It is also worth noting that Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel recently commented on the Church’s position regarding the Ukrainian ecclesiastical crisis. He affirmed that the Bulgarian Church remains among the 11 Local Orthodox Churches that do not recognize the OCU and expressed his belief that the Ukrainian church issue will eventually be resolved.