Candidate for BOC Patriarch post: All Local Churches are equal to each other

Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech. Photo: Radio Bulgaria

One of the three candidates for the Patriarchal throne of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech, reminded that the head of the Orthodox Church is the Lord Jesus Christ and that there is no earthly head of all churches. The bishop said this in an interview with Radio Bulgaria.

"Autocephalous churches are equal to each other. They differ in seniority, but in terms of authority, they are equal, and the highest governing body in the church is the Council of all Orthodox Churches. It can make decisions that must be followed by all Orthodox Churches. Otherwise, each church resolves its own issues, and no one can seize the authority of a given church on its canonical territory," emphasized Metropolitan Gabriel.

He noted that it is unacceptable, from a canonical point of view, to speak of the influence of one local church over another.

According to Metropolitan Gabriel, in Orthodoxy, when a council is convened in the name of the Lord, it is the Lord who inspires what decisions the council should make. He is the Head of the Church, and in this way, He disposes of His grace and governs His earthly Church," said the Metropolitan of Lovech.

As reported by the UOJ, the hierarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin, who is one of the three candidates for the post of Primate of the BOC, criticized the actions of Patriarch Bartholomew regarding the creation of the OCU.

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