A delegation of hierarchs from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has visited Bulgaria and met with the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniil, who reaffirmed his spiritual support for the UOC amid what he described as pressure and persecution faced by the Church in Ukraine.

According to the official website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the visit took place with the blessing of Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine. The delegation included auxiliary bishops of the Chernivtsi Diocese: Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny, Archbishop Sylvester of Hertsa, and Bishop Cleopa of Novoselytsia.

During the meeting, the UOC hierarchs asked the Bulgarian Patriarch for prayerful support for peace in Ukraine and for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which continues its pastoral ministry despite the difficult socio-political situation in the country. Patriarch Daniil stressed the importance of preserving interchurch communion and expressed solidarity with what he described as the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

As part of their visit, the UOC representatives also took part in celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the election of Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech to the episcopal see. Patriarch Daniil presided over a festive Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the city of Lovech. The service was attended by hierarchs of the Bulgarian, Serbian, and other Orthodox Churches.

Addressing the celebrations, Patriarch Daniil highlighted the significance of Metropolitan Gavriil’s ministry and underscored the role of the Church in preserving the faith, providing spiritual guidance, and maintaining church unity in the face of contemporary challenges.