Patriarch of Bulgaria speaks about permissibility of luxury for clergy
The Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church shared that he drives used cars and has not worn a watch since his military service.
Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil spoke about the permissibility of luxury for clergymen. The recording of the conversation was published on the YouTube channel "A Matter of Measure".
Commenting on the widespread reproaches directed at the clergy regarding the excessive display of material status, the Patriarch said that any possessions should serve only their practical function. The Patriarch shared that during his six years at the Vidin Diocese he used exclusively used cars — first an Audi, then a Honda. According to him, these cars "serve faithfully and quite worthily, in no way diminishing the metropolitan status."
Patriarch Daniil also mentioned that he has not worn a watch since his military service. "Whatever watches I am given as gifts — I re-gift them, keeping nothing," he said. The Patriarch called on believers to critically assess accusations against the clergy based on rumors about luxury items.
The Patriarch also noted that over two years of his primatial ministry he was able to afford only a few days of rest — he traveled for two or three days to the Nevrokop region. The trip became public, and he was unable to find complete solitude. "Ministry in the Church, whatever position it may be, has a certain purpose, and I try to use it accordingly," he emphasized.
As the UOJ previously reported, Patriarch Daniil spoke about raising children in the faith as a path to the holiness of the family. Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel has led the BOC since 2023, having previously held the Vidin Diocese since 2017.
