In an interview with the official journal "Church Gazette," Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel commented on the situation in global Orthodoxy. Patriarch Daniel expressed concern over the break in Eucharistic communion between some Local Orthodox Churches, which inflicts painful wounds on the entire Body of Christ. He noted that the absence of church communion is a tragedy for every Orthodox Christian, emphasizing the importance of praying "for the prosperity of the holy churches of God and their unity" at every Divine Liturgy.

The head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church reminded that the Church has always successfully defended the canonical order against innovations, helping to overcome all storms. He stated that there should be no compromises in this matter, quoting St. John Chrysostom: "The name 'Church' means 'assembly.'" According to him, issues of church life should be resolved collegially and in the spirit of conciliarity, without the influence of political and situational processes.

The Holy Father reminded that the mission of the Church is to bear witness to Christ, His peace, and to lead the entrusted human souls to salvation. He noted that to maintain the unity of the Church, it is necessary to follow the canonical order, avoiding distorted or biased interpretations of the basic provisions regulating the relations between Local Churches.

The head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church warned against repeating mistakes that led some Local Churches to fall away from the unity of Orthodoxy, citing the Roman Catholic Church as an example. After the schism, the Roman Catholic Church introduced innovations in the dogmatic truths of faith and the canonical order.

Photo: Bulgarian Patriarchate / bg-patriarshia.bg