Bulgarian clergy to refrain from serving with ROC’s African Exarch

Sofia, February 27, 2023

bg-patriarshia.bg bg-patriarshia.bg     

According to a recent decision of its Holy Synod, the clergy of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church are to refrain from concelebrating with the Russian Orthodox Church’s Exarch of Africa, at least for the time being.

At its regular session on Friday, February 24, the Synod examined a letter from Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria “informing it of the non-canonical actions of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia in the canonical (geographical) territories of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the imposition of ecclesiastical punishment on Metropolitan Leonid Gorbachev (Moscow Patriarchate) and his return to the rank of monk, as well as the suspension of commemoration of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia for an indefinite period,” the Bulgarian Church reports.

Recall that on November 22, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria resolved to defrock Met. Leonid after nearly a year of the Russian Church’s African Exarchate operating on its territory. The Alexandrian Synodal Court also ruled to defrock Archpriests George Maximov and Andrei Novikov in February 2022, citing their activity on the Patriarchate’s own canonical territory.

The Bulgarian Synod unanimously voted to send Pat. Theodoros’ letter to the Synodal Canon Law Commission to investigate the ongoing problem in Africa in detail and then further acquaint the Synod.

The hierarchs also voted 8-3 that clergy of the Bulgarian Church are to refrain from serving with Met. Leonid until the Synod makes its final decision.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece took a firmer stand earlier this month, resolving to recognize the defrocking of Met. Leonid and to inform all dioceses of the Greek Church of this decision.

In December, the Russian Holy Synod ruled Alexandria’s defrocking of Met. Leonid and Frs. George and Andrei “as having no canonical force and invalid.”

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2/27/2023

See also
Patriarch Theodoros stops commemorating Patriarch Kirill, Russian Exarch declared defrocked by Alexandria Patriarch Theodoros stops commemorating Patriarch Kirill, Russian Exarch declared defrocked by Alexandria Patriarch Theodoros stops commemorating Patriarch Kirill, Russian Exarch declared defrocked by Alexandria Patriarch Theodoros stops commemorating Patriarch Kirill, Russian Exarch declared defrocked by Alexandria
Today’s decision from Alexandria marks the first time another primate has ceased commemorating Pat. Kirill. Russian Exarch on first visit to Africa, facing resistance from Ugandan hierarchs Russian Exarch on first visit to Africa, facing resistance from Ugandan hierarchs Russian Exarch on first visit to Africa, facing resistance from Ugandan hierarchs Russian Exarch on first visit to Africa, facing resistance from Ugandan hierarchs
Metropolitan Leonid of Klin has arrived in Africa for his first visit in his capacity as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church’s new African Exarchate. 100+ antimens signed for African priests of Russian Exarchate 100+ antimens signed for African priests of Russian Exarchate 100+ antimens signed for African priests of Russian Exarchate 100+ antimens signed for African priests of Russian Exarchate
A priest cannot celebrate the Divine Liturgy without an antimens signed by his ruling hierarch. This liturgical necessity is a rectangular piece of cloth, placed on the holy altar table, typically with an icon of the Descent of Christ from the Cross and inscriptions related to the Passion. A small relic of a martyr is usually sewn into it.
Comments
David Sauls3/3/2023 9:17 pm
David said, "The actions of the EP in Ukraine and of the MP in Africa can be condemned in equal measure, and it seems like the other Churches are moving to do just that. Schismatic acts cannot be corrected or healed by more schismatic acts. The MP had the moral high ground on this issue, but then threw it away with this reckless and uncanonical act. Bulgaria is merely acknowledging the old truism that "2 wrongs don't make a right." The Russian Exarchate of Africa is not a schismatic act. It is a response TO a schismatic act. It is a refuge for clergy who refuse to violate the Canons of the Holy Orthodox Faith, and they have shown all of us the courage required to be actual Orthodox Christians, and not ecumenists, who dilute the faith and canons. These men should be regarded as heroes and saints. They have defended canonical Orthodoxy at great risk to themselves. Anyone who equates Orthodoxy asserting itself as a savior with schismatics has completely misunderstood the Ressurection. This was not a schismatic act, it was, and is the Resurrection of true Orthodoxy.
Pfmd3/3/2023 8:36 pm
Bravo to all the Russian haters on this site that still claim to be Orthodox because of their recent “conversion”. Your statements will always reveal your hatred for both Russia and Orthodoxy.
Alex3/2/2023 3:14 am
To Common Sense: Bravo to the non-Greek Churches for condemning the Bishop of Istanbul's non-canonical invasion into Ukraine!
Common Sense2/28/2023 7:58 pm
Bravo to the Constantinopolitan, Alexandrian, Bulgarian, and Greek Churches for condemning the Russian non-canonical invasion into Africa!
Alex2/28/2023 4:20 am
Does the Bulgarian Church even have any missions or churches in Africa?
David2/28/2023 3:45 am
The actions of the EP in Ukraine and of the MP in Africa can be condemned in equal measure, and it seems like the other Churches are moving to do just that. Schismatic acts cannot be corrected or healed by more schismatic acts. The MP had the moral high ground on this issue, but then threw it away with this reckless and uncanonical act. Bulgaria is merely acknowledging the old truism that "2 wrongs don't make a right."
Alexander 2/27/2023 5:28 pm
The next who are joining the sectarians and apostates? Well, typical for a New Calendar Church.
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