Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU not to participate in services at Phanar
The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that the OCU is not mentioned in the diptychs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and will not participate in joint services at the Phanar.
In December 2025, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil stated that representatives of the OCU would not participate in joint services at the Phanar during his upcoming peace visit to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He said this in a Christmas conversation, published by the publication "Glasove".
According to the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the position on the OCU remains unchanged. "The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has not recognized the OCU and does not mention it in the diptychs," emphasized Patriarch Daniil.
He noted that this position was pre-designated and taken into account during the preparation of the visit. "An agreement was reached that during the service, there would be no participation of hierarchs from this church structure," stated the Patriarch, adding that the corresponding commitment was undertaken by the Ecumenical Patriarch.
At the same time, as Patriarch Daniil emphasized, disagreements on the OCU issue do not mean a break in communication. "The way to overcome disagreements is not rupture and confrontation, but maintaining communication with a clear and honest confession of one's position and trust in the conciliar voice of the Church," he said.
Speaking more broadly about church and social life, the Primate noted that without the peace of Christ, any changes remain temporary. "Disagreements are healed by love and forgiveness, not conflict," concluded the Bulgarian Patriarch.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Ukrainian officials discussed the OCU's presence on the island with the Archbishop of Cyprus.
