Thursday, December 25, 2014
Statement from the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church
The Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church under the omophorion of His Eminence, Bishop Photios of Triaditza, has officially entered into full ecclesiastical communion with the Church of the True Orthodox Christians of Greece. This unity was originally effected with the then existing Synod in Resistance, the Romanian Orthodox Old Calendar Church and Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and has never been broken by any disagreement of dogmatic or ecclesiastical character, however, certain questions delayed the present statement.
ANNOUNCEMENT
on behalf of the Church Council of the Orthodox Old-Calendar Church of BulgariaBeloved in the Lord Fathers, brethren and sisters,
As announced in a previous message on behalf of the Church (Ecclesiastical) Council of 14/27 July, 2014, talks are underway between the Orthodox Old-Calendar Church of Bulgaria and the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians in Greece on establishing full ecclesial communion. During the talks, the Greek side made the point that in order for the prestige and dignity of the Orthodox Old-Calendar Church of Bulgaria to be reiterated as a self-governing Church body, it is desirable that its Synod be formed under the chairmanship of His Grace Bishop Photios with the help of hierarchs of the sister Churches, who are to be included in the Synod’s composition, as its interim members. Having discussed and approved this recommendation, the Church Council of the Orthodox Old-Calendar Church of Bulgaria decided unanimously that the Ruling hierarch address the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, His Eminence Metropolitan Agafangel, asking that the Synod of Bishops of the (Russian Orthodox) Church Abroad bless two hierarchs of its composition to be co-opted for the formation of the Synod of the Orthodox Old-Calendar Church of Bulgaria with a status of its interim members. Metropolitan Agafangel and the hierarchs of the ROCOR Synod responded positively to the call made by our side and granted (us) selfless brotherly support. By a decree of His Grace Bishop Photios #0001 of 5/18 December, 2014 and pursuant to Decision #5 of Oct 24/Nov 6, 2014 of the Church (Ecclesiastical) Council a Synod of the Orthodox Old-Calendar Church of Bulgaria was formed chaired by His Grace Bishop Photios of Triaditsa and interim members: Their Eminences Archbishop George of Kishinev and Moldova and Bishop Nikon of Ishimsk and Siberia.
The Greek side has been informed of the actions taken on our part. Yet to be agreed upon are the place and date for the official establishment of full ecclesial communion with the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians in Greece, which shall be fastened by the celebration of the Holy Liturgy by both primates and by hierarchs of the two sister Churches.
Sofia, December 8/21, 2014
Translation: Vladimir Djambov
