2024-03-16 11:13:15
At the funeral of Patriarch Neophyte, the Moscow Patriarch Kirill will have a representative of the Moscow Patriarchate, and that is Metropolitan Nestor. This was reported by Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliko Preslav in “Panorama” on BNT.
“The Bulgarians have lost their spiritual father and father. This is evident from the multitude of people gathered in line in front of the church at this hour and at this moment,” Metropolitan Ioan pointed out.
He added that there is always a living memory in the church and the Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte remains alive.
“Undoubtedly, communicating with him gives us the opportunity to see that he was kind, meek and humble, but when it came to the matter of standing up for the faith and the principles of Holy Orthodoxy, and already as a patriarch to serve the people and the Holy Church, there were no longer any compromises . He was tough,” Metropolitan John added.
“We had and still have great respect for his personality. He was a very good person and that’s why he was a victim many times,” he also said.
“Metropolitan John explained that today it was a question of the Russian Church and that it is “part of the body of Christ”. Moscow Patriarch Kirill will have a representative of the Moscow Patriarchate, and that is Metropolitan Nestor,” he also said.
The Metropolitan of Varna and Veliky Preslav is worried that there is a possibility that Metropolitan Epiphanius, who represents the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, will be present at the funeral tomorrow, and they have not decided on his status.
“He has not been invited by us, but I understand that he will be present and it may disturb certain people if he takes part in the funeral,” Metropolitan John added.
“In such moments, we comply with the church canon. The topic of schism in our church is painful and it has not completely passed. I hope that tomorrow everyone will show prudence in order to fulfill our duty,” he added.
Metropolitan John explained that everyone is welcome, but when it comes to canonical status and the given church has not ruled on this matter, care must be taken.
The Holy Synod will decide whether the Metropolitan of Sliven will be elected first, and then the Patriarch.
However, the most important thing is “to preserve the unity of the Holy Church”.