On Europe Day, in an interview with the Bulgarian National Radio, Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe spoke about the role of faith and the Orthodox Church in the life of a united Europe. The hierarch delivered a message on the holiday, in which he wished “that we have more love among ourselves, so that peace may prevail among us”. He emphasized that despite the division in the modern world, the fact that we live in Europe gives us hope that we can unite”.
H. Em. Metropolitan Anthony pointed out that our unification should be on “the solid foundation of Christian morality and principles… Let us have more faith, let us have more hope, let us have more love and not overlook the pain of our neighbors, nor their needs”, said Metropolitan Anthony.
In the interview, the bishop talks about the active interaction of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) with European institutions, which began in 2014. Then the BOC became a member of the Committee of Representatives of Orthodox Churches to the EU. “This is a committee that was formed in 2010 in Brussels by the leadership of the Metropolitanate of Belgium.” The task of this committee is to be the voice of the Orthodox Church in Europe, said Metropolitan Anthony. He noted that the organization takes a position on various social, moral and public issues, such as the Christian family, same-sex marriage, the Istanbul Convention, as well as on various draft laws. The goal of the Committee of Orthodox Churches is to be a moral corrective in society, “regardless of whether its voice is heard or not,” the bishop noted. According to him, the BOC has authority and its opinion is respected in the common family of Orthodox churches. However, our strength and influence increase when we act together within the framework of the Committee of Representatives, Metropolitan Anthony emphasized. He noted that the organization represents all Orthodox Christians – not only those who work in European institutions, but also those who live in Europe.
A few days earlier, on May 6, St. George’s Day, Metropolitan Nikolay of Plovdiv led the Holy Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Metropolitanate of Belgium “St. Archangels” in the city of Brussels. The service, organized at the invitation of the Metropolitan of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg Athenagoras to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, was attended by Metropolitan Anthony, Bishop Joachim of Apollonia – Vicar of the Metropolitan of Belgium, clergy from the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
The church was attended by generals and officers from the EU and NATO Military Commands, diplomats, public figures and EU employees from the Bulgarian community.
In the evening, an official reception was held at NATO headquarters, attended by Metropolitan of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg Athenagoras, Metropolitan of Plovdiv Nikolai, and Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe Anthony.
Photo: Bulgarian National Radio and website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate
