Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel met on December 4 with Metropolitan Grigorios (Khoury) of Homs from the Antiochian Orthodox Church to discuss the situation of Christians in the Middle East, the Bulgarian Patriarchate reported. The meeting took place at the Synodal Palace in Sofia in an atmosphere described as one of fraternal understanding.

Metropolitan Grigorios conveyed greetings from Patriarch John X of Antioch and expressed gratitude for Bulgaria’s support of the Bulgarian Orthodox community in the United Arab Emirates. Approximately 3,000 Bulgarians reside in the UAE, with around 100 actively participating in the Orthodox parish dedicated to St. John of Rila, which operates under the omophorion of the Antiochian Patriarchate.

The two church leaders discussed a range of issues, including the difficult circumstances faced by Christians in Syria. Metropolitan Grigorios stressed that the faithful continue to endure severe hardships and called for prayers for the Antiochian Church. Patriarch Daniel expressed solidarity with Christians in the region and, in turn, asked the clergy of the Antiochian Patriarchate to pray for the people of Bulgaria.

Also present at the meeting were Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Bulgaria’s ambassador to the UAE Ivan Yordanov, and representatives of the Antiochian Church.