The Bulgarian Patriarch showed solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in defending the rights of Orthodox Christians in Ukraine
February 10, 2017 – The Patriarch Neophyte has stated that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is praying for peace in Ukraine, and has expressed support and deep compassion for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) in its time of trial.
With the blessing of his Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphriy of Kiev and all Ukraine, the Chief Administrator of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovarsk has met His Holiness Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria.
The meeting was also attended by: the Vicar of the Sofia diocese and Bishop of the Branicki Gregory, the Protosingel of the Sofia diocese Protopresbyter Angel Angelov, the Rector of the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Sofia Archimandrite Philipp (Vasiltsev), the assistant of the Chairman of External Church Relations of the UOC Archpriest Nicholas Danilevich and the teacher of the Kiev Theological Academy and Seminary A. Muzolph.
The visit took place by way of an invitation of the Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv. From February 11 to 12, Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovarsk participated at the conference, dedicated to the memory of St. Lucas of Crimea, as well as the ten-year anniversary dedicated to the enthronement of Metropolitan Nicholas to the Plovdiv.
During the meeting, Metropolitan Anthony passed the greetings of His Holiness Onuphriy of Kiev and all of Ukraine to the Patriarch Neophyte. When describing church life in Ukraine, the Metropolitan emphasized that in the context of internal and external challenges facing the country, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church dully and consistently supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Metropolitan Anthony described the peace-making mission of the Church, part of whose congressional members no longer reside on Ukrainian-controlled territory. In the background of the armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine, the Church is assisting the victims and the internally displaced persons. It is also making efforts to free prisoners. The Chief Administrator expressed certitude that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church could have done more had it not faced artificial barriers.
His Holiness Patriarch Neophyte took an interest with the situation of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, which he visited during his trip to Ukraine in 2012. According to the Patriarch, this Cathedral impressed him greatly. Metropolitan Anthony stated that one of the cathedrals from the sanctuary was transferred to one of the breakaway groups, not recognized by the Pan Orthodox Council. During their discussion, the problem of interreligious strife in Ukraine was raised. The administrator of the UOC stated that lately the department of religion and nationalities at the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, which called to recognize the equality of all religions, is showing a biased and nonobjective stance towards the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They do not react to the violations of the rights of believers, the seizures of churches, and they create administrative obstacles during registration procedures of UOC structures. In reaction to such actions, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has had to file a lawsuit with the goal of protecting its rights. According to the Metropolitan Anthony, the first session in court was scheduled for the end of the upcoming month.
The Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church wished his Holiness Metropolitan Onuphriy, the Episcopate, the Clergy and the Believers the help of God, as well as patience and hope. Patriarch Neophyte reassured the Metropolitan Anthony that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is praying for peace in Ukraine, and is compassionately sympathizing with the fraternal Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He expressed certitude, that all of these trials will soon pass.
Sources
http://pro.church.ua/2017/02/13/upc-podala-do-sudu-na-minkult/#more-6844