The peaceful visit of Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria to the Ecumenical Patriarchate has come to an end, marking a historic and symbolically powerful moment in relations between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Mother Church of Constantinople. Reflecting on the significance and messages of this first official visit since Patriarch Daniel’s enthronement, Metropolitan Ioan of Varna and Veliki Preslav spoke το btvnovinite.bg about the depth and meaning of the encounter.
Metropolitan Ioan emphasized the importance of the decision of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, combined with the gracious invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, which made possible what he described as a profoundly meaningful journey.
“It was such a beautiful outcome of the decision of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the kind invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, that the first peaceful visit of Patriarch Daniel to the Mother Church, the Archdiocese of Constantinople, could take place,” he said.
He recalled the ceremonial reception of the Bulgarian Patriarch on Christmas Day at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in the Phanar, where a thanksgiving service was held.
“We were received on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ at 5:00 p.m. in the Patriarchal Church of St. George, where a prayer service was celebrated and Patriarch Daniel officially took his place on the episcopal throne, together with members of the Holy Synod, and was welcomed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. This is a tradition of continuity,” Metropolitan Ioan explained.
He described the visit as a clear expression of mutual respect, noting that its culmination came on December 26, when the two Patriarchs concelebrated the Divine Liturgy.
“The two Patriarchs managed, in a truly unique way, to concelebrate together. The climax was on December 26, when this majestic concelebration of the two Patriarchs took place at St. George,” he said.
During the visit, Patriarch Daniel awarded Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew the Order of St. John of Rila, in recognition of his significant contribution to overcoming the schism within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Daniel underlined on that occasion that “the Church must resolve all problems through the conciliar way.”
Asked about the challenges that have marked relations between the Bulgarian Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan Ioan offered historical context.
“Over the years, we have experienced various trials and complexities. In this case, overcoming the schism was a particularly important moment, one that resonated throughout world Orthodoxy,” he noted.
He recalled that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew convened an inter-Orthodox synod in 1988, which condemned the schism and affirmed the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
“Based on the overall cooperation between the two Churches, the Holy Synod wisely decided to bestow the Order of St. John of Rila,” Metropolitan Ioan said.
He also referred to the long and difficult period of schism faced by the Bulgarian Church between 1872 and 1945, as well as the complex process of restoring the Bulgarian Patriarchate.
“This was a very challenging period for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Yet history has shown that, whatever the difficulties in these complex ecclesiastical relations may have been, they ultimately led to this moment—where today the two Patriarchs stand together at one altar,” he stressed.
Metropolitan Ioan also commented on the sensitive issue of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, describing it as a complex and delicate matter.
“This is a very difficult and sensitive issue, and its resolution will not be easy,” he said, noting that ten out of the fourteen local Orthodox Churches have not recognized the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
He added that Patriarch Daniel and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew have met several times and have discussed these concerns directly.
“The very principle of a peaceful visit requires that the visiting Church be respected at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. These are already bilateral relations,” Metropolitan Ioan concluded.
