The conservative Bulgarian Orthodox Church doesn’t participate in official Catholic-Orthodox dialogue and its Holy Synod governing body has made clear that it will not take part in any joint services or prayers with the pope. Francis is expected to meet with its leader, Patriarch Neofit, and be accompanied by a Synod member into the Orthodox cathedral. However, a Bulgarian Orthodox children’s choir is expected to sing for the pope at a peace meeting, said Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti. Serbian, Bulgarian and Greek Orthodox leaders, who all seek dominance over the country’s Orthodox faithful, consider the Macedonian Orthodox Church schismatic. “Ties between the Macedonian Orthodox Church and Vatican are respectful .

Source: Washington Post May 04, 2019 07:41 UTC