Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin expressed regret over the actions of Bulgarian authorities this week, who expelled the abbot and staff of the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church from Bulgaria.

The statement by Metropolitan Daniel was released by the press service of the Vidin Diocese. The Metropolitan reminded that "political parties, ideologies, political unions, and coalitions will pass, as many have irreversibly disappeared in Bulgaria's history." According to Metropolitan Daniel, "only the truth and love of Christ remain, the expression and embodiment of which in the world is the Church."

"The truth and love of Christ are the hope of salvation for all of us. They are also the basis of our personal and national security," emphasized the hierarch of the Bulgarian Church.

On September 21, Bulgarian authorities required the abbot of the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeyev), to leave the country. The Bulgarian State Agency for National Security stated that the presence of Russian Church clergy in the country posed a threat to national security.

"The actions of the individuals in question are related to the implementation of various elements of the Russian Federation's hybrid strategy to exert targeted influence on the socio-political processes in Bulgaria in favor of Russian geopolitical interests," stated the agency.