His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch Mr. Danilo, preaching in the Church of St. John of Rila in the city of Pernik, on August 26, 2024, called on the faithful to pray for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: "Let us earnestly pray to the Lord to strengthen our brothers and sisters from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, to enlighten statesmen , to give peace to the Ukrainian land."

On the same day, in a conversation with journalists, the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church touched on the situation in which the canonical Church is in Ukraine, reports the Bulgarian National Radio.

"The Supreme Labor of Ukraine adopted a law that provides for the closure of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is the only canonical Orthodox Church in this country," His Holiness reminded. — As you know, eleven out of fifteen local Orthodox churches did not recognize the church structure created in 2019 - the so-called PCU ("Orthodox Church of Ukraine"), that is, it is not a canonical Church. And when the state passes a law on closing the canonical Church, what will be left?!"

Source: Patriarchia.ru

An international conference in defense of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was held in Bulgaria

On August 26, 2024, the international conference "Blockade of aggression against the Church - defense of Orthodoxy" was held in Sofia (Bulgaria). Representatives of different Orthodox churches and experts from different countries spoke at the gathering, who discussed important issues related to the protection of Orthodoxy and religious rights, reports UPN.

Among the participants were Metropolitan Luka of Zaporozhye (Ukrainian Orthodox Church), Archbishop Teodosije of Sevasti (Jerusalem Orthodox Church), priest Mihail Kovačev (Bulgarian Orthodox Church), Diogenis Valavanidis (president of the Center for the Defense of Christian Identity, Serbia), Dragana Trifković (general director of the Center for geostrategic research, Serbia), attorney Rumjana Čenalova (Bulgaria) and others. The topics of the speech concerned religious discrimination, pressures on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, religious persecution and the challenges that the Orthodox churches face.

The conference participants adopted a resolution calling for the provision of normal conditions for the activity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. As it follows from the resolution delivered to the Ukrainian embassy, ​​among the main demands were:

1. Repeal of the law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which, according to the participants, violates the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of religion and creates preconditions for interference in the Church's internal activities.

2. Stopping the occupation of churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by supporters of the PCU, nationalist groups and representatives of local authorities. The resolution emphasized the need for those who participate in it to bear responsibility.

3. Condemnation of the campaign of discrediting members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church carried out by the leading media of Ukraine and a call to stop such actions.

4. Release of the arrested priests.

5. Stopping the arrest of priests for the purpose of exchange with the Russian Federation for prisoners of war.

6. Abolition of sanctions against the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

7. Stop shelling Orthodox churches.

The participants of the conference expressed concern about the destruction of representations of Russian saints, icons and church apparitions, which are associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, and demanded that this process be stopped.

They also expressed support for the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church and condemned actions aimed at undermining its authority and violating the rights of believers.

The conference called on the Ukrainian authorities to end political and administrative support to the PCU, whose purpose, according to the participants, is the destruction of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

These demands are presented as the main steps necessary to protect religious rights and ensure the stability of the Orthodox community in Ukraine. The participants of the conference emphasized the importance of international attention regarding these issues and called on the international community to provide active support.

Source: Mospat