By Efi Efthimiou
At the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Church of Bulgaria, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria is expected to raise the issue of his visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Following their private meeting yesterday, according to information from orthodoxtimes.com, the way is opening for the peaceful visit of the Patriarch of Bulgaria to Constantinople.
Patriarch Daniel is currently in Thessaloniki, attending the Scientific Conference organized by the journal Theology. It is the first time he has visited Greece since his election as Patriarch of Bulgaria on June 30, 2024.
Since that day, Patriarch Daniel had not visited the Phanar, as is customary for newly elected Primates of the Churches, despite the fact that more than a year has passed.
By contrast, the Archbishop of Albania, Ioannis, traveled to the Phanar and concelebrated with the Ecumenical Patriarch shortly after being elected as head of the Church of Albania.
Sources familiar with the matter told orthodoxtimes.com that Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria is considering making this trip to Constantinople towards the end of the year or the beginning of the next.
The same sources emphasize that he will, in fact, submit this matter for consideration by the Holy Synod of the Church of Bulgaria on October 20.
The significance of such a move has many dimensions. As sources familiar with the matter noted: “If Patriarch Daniel visits the Ecumenical Patriarch at the Phanar, it will not come as a surprise. The two Churches are in communion, their communication has never ceased, and there will be two Primates concelebrating. There is nothing unusual in this.”
