The Bulgarian Patriarch supported the Ukrainian Armed Forces and veiledly condemned the Russian army
The Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Neophyte (Dimitrov) made a special address after the consecration of the banners and soldiers of the Bulgarian army.
The Patriarch’s address was read by Metropolitan Anthony (Mikhalev) of the BOC of Western and Central Europe, since Neophytos himself is being treated in a hospital.
As a PolitNavigator correspondent reports, in his address on the occasion of the consecration of the banners and soldiers of the “glorious” Bulgarian army, Neophyte noted that it “has always been a reliable guarantor of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our dear homeland Bulgaria.”
“The destructive war against fraternal Ukraine, followed by a military clash no less terrifying for our Christian conscience in lands consecrated by the divine-human presence of the Savior, once again reminded us all of the importance of the army for any people and state.
The Lord God and the Holy Church bless only that army that does not show aggression, and its only goal is to preserve and defend its people and state within internationally recognized territorial borders,” said the head of the BOC.
According to Neophyte, this is exactly what the Bulgarian army is:
“Therefore, today we pray to God for our glorious army and its high spirit, so that, with God’s help, it can successfully fulfill its sacrificial and family-loving mission,” the appeal says.
At the same time, the Bulgarian primate somehow “forgot” that today’s Bulgarian army is not sovereign, since it is now part of NATO. And, accordingly, it fulfills the goals and objectives received from Brussels and Washington, and the territory of the Bulgarian state is open to foreign troops and intelligence services.
“Brothers forgot that it was the Russian army that invaded the internationally recognized borders of the Ottoman Empire and liberated them from the Turkish yoke. Apparently, in vain,” the telegram channel “From my own bell tower” commented on the patriarch’s appeal.
Previously, Bulgarian believers paid attention to the ecumenical actions of Patriarch Neophytos. In particular, in September 2020, a service was held in the Church of St. Sophia in Sofia in honor of the Vatican’s transfer of particles of the relics of Saints Clement and Potitus to the BOC. Tellingly, this decision was made by the Pope after the refusal of the Bulgarian church to take part in a meeting in Amman, Jordan, where the church schism in Ukraine initiated by the Patriarch of Constantinople was discussed and condemned.
During the service, in violation of Orthodox canons, the Catholic clergy sat in close proximity to the church altar, and consecrated antidor and warmth were also distributed to the Vatican guests.
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