Today Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria met with Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Archimandrite Aetios, the Grand Ecclesiarch and Head of the Office of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Metropolitans Gregory of Veliko Tarnovo, Seraphim of Nevrokopi, Cyprian of Stara Zagora, and Bishop Gerasim of Melnik attended the meeting in the Synodal Palace.
At the beginning of the reception, Metropolitan Emmanuel conveyed the fraternal greetings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and expressed the support and good relations between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, as well as the goodwill for cooperation in various matters of common ecclesiastical interest.
“We hope that the good relations will continue to develop during your Patriarchal ministry,” said Metropolitan Emmanuel. Patriarch Daniel, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the personal presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at his enthronement.
During the meeting, current issues concerning the Orthodox Church and its mission in the world were discussed – dialogue among local Churches, the upcoming celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, and other matters of mutual interest. Patriarch Daniel and the members of the Holy Synod present at the meeting highlighted the example of dialogue and diplomacy in inter-religious relations in Bulgaria. Patriarch Daniel informed Metropolitan Emmanuel about the changes in the Law on Religious Freedom, adopted by the National Assembly earlier this year, regarding the attempt to legalize a parallel Orthodox Church in Bulgaria and its registration.
At the end of the reception, the Patriarch recalled the decision of the Holy Synod to award the Order of St. John of Rila to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his help and support in resolving the unfortunate schism in the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria since the end of the last century.
At the end of the meeting, commemorative gifts were exchanged.
