Hierarch of the Bulgarian Church spoke about the details of Patriarch Daniel's visit to the Phanar

The peaceful visit of Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria to the Ecumenical Patriarchate has come to an end, marking a historic and symbolically important moment in the relations between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Mother Church of Constantinople. The hierarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan John of Varna and Velikopreslavl, drew attention to the importance of the meeting, calling it «a clear expression of mutual respect» in a comment to BTV Novinite .

Metropolitan John emphasized that such a significant trip was possible thanks to the decision of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the invitation of Patriarch Bartholomew. He called the visit a «wonderful result» of the joint efforts that allowed the first peaceful visit of Patriarch Daniel to take place in the Mother Church, the Archdiocese of Constantinople.

The hierarch recalled the solemn reception of the Bulgarian Patriarch on Christmas Day, December 25, at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in Phanar, where a thanksgiving service was held. «We were received on Christmas Day at 5:00 p.m. at the Patriarchal Church of St. George, where a prayer was served and Patriarch Daniel officially took his seat on the episcopal throne along with members of the Holy Synod, being welcomed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. This is a tradition of succession, » Metropolitan John explained.

The visit culminated in the joint service of the Divine Liturgy by the two Patriarchs on December 26. «The two Patriarchs managed to serve together in a truly unique way. The culmination came on December 26, when this majestic co-service of the two Patriarchs took place at St. George’s Church, » he added.

During the visit, Patriarch Daniel awarded Patriarch Bartholomew the Order of St. John of Ryla in recognition of his significant contribution to overcoming the schism within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Daniel emphasized on this occasion that «the Church must solve all problems in a cathedral way.»

Responding to a question about the challenges that have marred relations between the Bulgarian Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan John provided the historical context. He recalled the long and difficult period of schism faced by the Bulgarian Church between 1872 and 1945, as well as the difficult process of rebuilding the Bulgarian Patriarchate. «Over the years we have experienced various trials and difficulties. In this case, overcoming the schism was a particularly important moment that echoed throughout world Orthodoxy,» Metropolitan John noted. He also mentioned that Patriarch Bartholomew convened an inter-Orthodox synod in 1988, which condemned the schism and reaffirmed the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

«Based on the common cooperation between the two Churches, the Holy Synod wisely decided to establish the Order of St. John of Ryla,» Metropolitan John said. He summarized: «History has shown that, whatever the difficulties in these complex ecclesiastical relations, they eventually led to this moment — when today the two Patriarchs stand together at the same altar.»

Metropolitan John also commented on the issue of the existence of the PCU, calling it complex and sensitive. «This is a very complex and sensitive issue, and its solution will not be easy,» he said, noting that ten of the fourteen local Orthodox Churches have not recognized the PCU. He added that Patriarch Daniel and Patriarch Bartholomew have repeatedly met and directly discussed these issues. «The very principle of a peaceful visit requires that the visiting Church be respected in the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This is already a bilateral relationship,» concluded Metropolitan John.

Recall that Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel, during his visit to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, emphasized the «deep and abiding unity» between the two Churches, despite difficulties in the past, and called for a focus on service, love and the creation of good in the present.