Bulgarian Orthodox Church withdraws from Pan-Orthodox Council in Crete [Orthodox Caucus]

The Sofia Globe ^ | 06-01-2016 | Clive Leviev-Sawyer

[NRx]

The governing body of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod, signalled on June 1 its withdrawal from the Pan-Orthodox Council to be held in Crete from June 16 to 26.

Strictly speaking, the Holy Synod demanded the postponement of the council unless its various demands were met, but given that this is unlikely to happen, the Synod’s decision effectively amounts to withdrawal.

The Pan-Orthodox Council has been planned as the first such gathering in about 1000 years, but has been beset by controversies – one of the most significant ones being the fact that it is being held in Crete, not in Istanbul, seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch. The move was made under Russian pressure because of the tensions between Moscow and Ankara.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church, where senior figures are strongly influenced by their Russian Orthodox co-religionist church figures, said that it would not participate if Bulgarian proposals for “thematic and organisational changes” to the planned council were not taken account of and respected.

The Holy Synod said that at its June 1 meeting, it had held “extensive discussions” on issues related to the convening of the Great and Holy Council of the Orthodox Church in Crete in June.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s leaders found a number of pretexts to call for the postponement of the Pan-Orthodox Council meeting and to say that unless the council was postponed, the church would not participate.

The Holy Synod listed six objections.

[NRx]

As a staunch critic of this so called "Great Council" I am in no ways saddened by this development. No one has yet provided any reasonable argument for convening it other than to resolve the issue of the so called disapora. Since that is no longer even on the agenda, I say good for the Bulgarians.

[NRx]

P.S. A quick reminder that this is a caucus thread. Only members of the Orthodox Church may comment per Religion Forum guidelines. Your respect for this limitation is appreciated.

[Kolokotronis]

Why am I not even in the least bit surprised that the Bulgarians are doing this? I am saddened, but I hasten to add not surprised, that you support them.

[toothfairy86]

May the Holy Spirit reveal the Truth to all Orthodox hierarchs. Lord, have mercy!