Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria recently criticized the recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine under Metropolitan Epifaniy, labeling it as “non-canonical.” He highlighted that “eleven of the fifteen local Orthodox churches have not recognized” this ecclesiastical body, established in 2019. This reflects the ongoing tensions within the global Orthodox community regarding the legitimacy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Patriarch Daniel also raised concerns about recent legislative actions in Ukraine. “The Ukrainian Parliament has approved a law for the closure of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the only canonical Orthodox Church,” he remarked, referring to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate. He questioned the consequences of such measures, asking, “When the state enacts a law to close their canonical church, what do we have left?” His comments, extensively reported by Bulgarian media, underscore the seriousness of the situation and its potential impact on Orthodox Christians in Ukraine.
Additionally, Patriarch Daniel led the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. John of Rila, where he addressed a congregation of believers. In his sermon, he spoke about the enduring strength of faith and urged the faithful to pray for those affected by the challenges facing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate. “Let us fervently pray for the Lord to support our brothers and sisters from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, to guide the politicians, and for peace to reign in the Ukrainian land. End this war, this fratricide,” he implored.