Hierarch of Bulgarian Church supports Metropolitan Theodosiy

Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech. Photo: Radio Bulgaria

On 25 October 2024, Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech expressed support to Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv, reports predanie.bg.

Metropolitan Gabriel stated that he learned about “the great tragedy that has befallen your Orthodox city of Cherkasy – the forcible seizure of the St. Archangel Michael Cathedral of the UOC, which took place in two stages, following an appeal by the mayor of the city."

The hierarch reminded that on 17 October, around 3 a.m., nearly 100 individuals in camouflage and hoods broke into the church where Orthodox Christians had gathered for the Divine Liturgy.

"The believers, led by you – their bishop, managed to prevent the capture of the temple, but in the morning of the same day, the attack was repeated, and this time, in addition to physical force, the attackers also used tear gas," the Bulgarian hierarch wrote.

"We also learned that you yourself were injured during the attack, having been hit on the head and tear gas fired at you. As a result, you lost consciousness and had to be hospitalized. Many believers were also injured, including an elderly monk who was severely beaten. The police were called, but in no way protected the worshipers in the temple from the aggressive and violent actions of the attackers," the hierarch continued.

Metropolitan Gabriel recalled the words of the Apostle Paul about what true just authority should be: "For rulers are not afraid of good works, but of bad ones. If you want not to be afraid of authority, do good, and you will receive praise from it; for the chief is God's servant, you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain: he is God's servant, and he avenges with wrath the one who does evil." (Rom. 13:3-4)

"Your Eminence, in our diocese since 2022, during the Holy Liturgy in churches and monasteries, we have been praying for peace in fraternal Ukraine. We also pray for the fraternal Ukrainian Orthodox Church that God will protect it from violence and give it the opportunity in its churches and monasteries to pray as before for its Orthodox homeland and people and for the whole world," concluded Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech.

As reported by the UOJ, the American Diocese of ROCOR expressed support for the UOC and Metropolitan Theodosiy.

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