It became clear that at the funeral of Patriarch Neofit there will be a representative of the Moscow Patriarchate – the Korsun and Western European Metropolitan Nestor.
There is a delicate subtlety that there is a possibility that a person will be present, whose status we have not decided. This is the person who represents the Orthodox Church in Ukraine – Metropolitan Epiphany, who is not invited by us, but will be present. This may embarrass certain people if he takes part in the funeral. This was stated by Metropolitan Ioan of Varna and Great Preslav, elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Holy Synod in “Panorama”.
To be recognized as independent, however, the Ukrainian Church must be recognized by all other Orthodox churches. However, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has not yet done so.
According to the Varna bishop, in such cases they comply with the church canon and must be as precise as possible.
” The subject of schism in our church is very painful, and it is not entirely gone. We need carefulness and prudence. I hope that tomorrow everyone will show prudence to do our duty.
“Bulgarians have lost their spiritual father and father, this is evident from the multitude of people gathered at this hour as well. The feeling is sad – of pain, of sadness. He was kind, meek and humble, but when he had to defend religion – there was no compromise. We had and still have great respect for his personality. He was a very good person.”
On Saturday, at 9:30 a.m., a funeral mass will be celebrated, and the funeral service of the blessedly deceased head of the BOC-BP will begin after its end.
Then, with a lithic procession, the body of Patriarch Neophyte will be carried from the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky to the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Nedelya, where it will be laid to rest for eternity.
All the heads of Orthodox churches have been notified of the death of Patriarch Neofitus. The expectations of the Holy Synod are that representatives of each of them will be present. The funeral will be led by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
#Tension #liturgy #Neophyte #attend
