Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his full support for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. When asked by a BGNES reporter how he would respond to the destructive actions of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Balkans, the Ecumenical Patriarch replied: "We love you! We love you."
The BGNES reporter reminded that the Serbian Orthodox Church issued an uncanonical tome, which effectively blocked the full autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. However, the "tome" can only be handed down by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
On this occasion, Metropolitan Cyril, who is responsible for the ecclesiastical record of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in the Ecumenical Patriarchate, criticized the decision of the SOC to issue a "tome". "This is a shame for the Church. No old patriarchate and old autocephalous church has done what a new patriarchate, probably the lowest in the hierarchy, has done. Porfirije committed this great crime - to grant autocephaly. To whom? To a church that unfortunately for 50 - 60 years (the Serbs) kept it in isolation, tortured it, accused it, slandered it," Metropolitan Kiril added.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in Sofia last night to participate in the enthronement of the new Bulgarian Patriarch. This is the first time in history that an Ecumenical Patriarch has participated in this ceremony.
A few minutes ago, Bartholomew entered St. Nedelya's, where a Mass is being celebrated, attended by representatives of the other local churches.
The election of the new Bulgarian Patriarch is underway in the Synodal Palace, with 138 delegates present. The Bulgarian Metropolitans have already cast their votes.
Three metropolitans are vying to succeed the late Patriarch Neofit - Gregory, Gabriel and Daniel. | BGNES
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