Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria will pay a visit to the Phanar on Christmas Day New Style

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria will make his first peaceful visit to the Phanar at the invitation of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. The visit, which will last from December 25 to 28, marks an important milestone as it will be Patriarch Daniel’s first trip to the Ecumenical Patriarch since his election and enthronement. According to Orthodoxtimes.com, confirming its earlier reports, the visit is of great ecclesiastical and symbolic significance.

Patriarch Daniel’s visit to Patriarch Bartholomew was confirmed following a decision by the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The way for this peaceful visit was opened after a private meeting between the two Primates in Thessaloniki at the end of September. They were taking part in the 2nd Scientific Conference of the Theologia journal of the Holy Synod of the Hellenic Church.

Since Patriarch Daniel’s election to the Patriarchal Throne of the Bulgarian Church, he has not visited the Phanar, contrary to the custom for newly elected Primates, despite the fact that it has been more than a year. Sources familiar with the situation note: «If Patriarch Daniel visits the Ecumenical Patriarch at the Phanar, it will not be something surprising. The two Churches are in Eucharistic communion, have not ceased communion, and the two Primates will meet to serve together. There is nothing unusual in this.

Patriarch Daniel’s visit will begin on December 25, Christmas Day, and will end on December 28. on December 26, the feast of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos, Patriarch Daniel will celebrate a joint Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew at St. George’s Church in Phanar. on December 27, Patriarch Daniel will lead the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the celebration in the Bulgarian Church of St. Stephen, also known as the «Iron Church».

Recall that earlier Bishop John of Branitsa, the first vicar of the Metropolis of Sofia of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, made a resonant statement, emphasizing that true restoration of communion with the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) is impossible without its repentance. Vladyka John emphasized that the modern doctrine of ecumenism, which bypasses the need for repentance, was denounced back in the 20th century by St. Seraphim Sobolev and is in fact a way of misleading the faithful.