“Autocephaly is a measure of the maturity of a local Church in indissoluble communion with the other local Churches, members of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church,” noted Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria last Saturday, as the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the 80th anniversary of its autocephaly recognition.
His Beatitude emphasized that the world is undergoing times of trials and challenges to unity.
“Division and confrontation are visible at all levels, threatening to undermine the achievements of our predecessors,” the Bulgarian Patriarch continued.
“In such moments and in the face of these trials, we need their example even more—the study and faithful adherence to the principles and ideals that guided their lives and actions.”
“Everything we enjoy today—a free and independent Bulgarian state and our autocephalous Orthodox Church—is the fruit of our predecessors’ faith and trust in God and His eternal justice. It is the result of their zeal in preserving our spiritual and cultural identity, the dignity of our Orthodox people, and their sacrificial struggle in pursuing these high goals and aspirations,” His Beatitude added.
His message concluded with a call for unity and communion.
“Let us cherish and value our autocephaly, for autocephaly does not mean isolation and division, but a grace-filled and canonical communion between the local Orthodox Churches.”
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church received recognition of its autocephaly in 1945 and was elevated to the rank of Patriarchate in 1953.
Photo: Basilica.ro Files / Raluca Ene
