Bulgarian Church Primate arrives in Istanbul
Patriarch Daniel at Atatürk Airport. December 25, 2025 Photo: Romfea.gr
On December 25, 2025, the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel arrived in Istanbul at the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, marking his first official visit since his enthronement. This was reported by Romfea.
The Primate of the Bulgarian Church is accompanied by Metropolitan Antony of Western and Central Europe, Metropolitan John of Varna, Metropolitan Naum of Ruse, Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora, Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa, Metropolitan Pachomius of Vidin, as well as Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Church.
On December 26, Patriarch Daniel will concelebrate with Patriarch Bartholomew at the Church of St. George at the Phanar. On December 27, the Primate of the Bulgarian Church will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Bulgarian Church of St. Stephen on the shore of the Golden Horn in Istanbul.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the OCU will not take part in the liturgical services of Patriarch Daniel at the Phanar.
Read also
Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”
The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl
UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.
Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom
The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.
Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million
Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.
DESS official says state should not govern the Church
A DESS official called for cooperation between the state and the Church for the benefit of citizens.
Poltava court upholds mobilization of Protestant pastor
A court in the Poltava region ruled that a prior criminal conviction and religious beliefs do not exempt a person from military service.