Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel has said that Orthodox cinema and the internet can play an important role in helping modern people discover the Christian faith, while emphasizing that the unity of the Orthodox Church must be built on agreement among its primates.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church leader made the remarks in an interview with Greek journalist Maria Yahnaki, published by Pemptousia TV. During the conversation, he also discussed the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the situation surrounding the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai.

According to Patriarch Daniel, the internet and social media have become important tools for missionary work. They enable people to learn about Orthodoxy, listen to theological discussions and seek answers to questions about faith independently. He noted that this trend is particularly evident in Western countries, where many people are searching for a deeper understanding of their place in the world.

The patriarch also highlighted the success of the television series Saint Paisios: From Farasa to Heaven in Bulgaria. At his initiative and with his support, the series was broadcast on the country's public television channel. It aired twice and attracted considerable audience interest, while individual scenes continue to circulate on social media.

Screenshot: Saint Paisios: From Farasa to Heaven

Patriarch Daniel said the series had been a revelation for many viewers who grew up under atheism. In his view, the production offered an opportunity to encounter Orthodox spirituality and the life of the Church from a perspective rarely presented on Bulgarian television.

Turning to the position of the Ecumenical Patriarchate within world Orthodoxy, Patriarch Daniel referred to the 34th Apostolic Canon, which establishes the principle that the first bishop should act in agreement with the other bishops. He stressed that preserving Orthodox unity requires decisions affecting the entire Church to be made with the consent of other church primates.

The Bulgarian patriarch also addressed the situation surrounding the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai, describing developments over the previous year and a half as an evident injustice and an attempt to harm one of the most important sacred sites in the Orthodox world.

He called on the responsible parties and institutions to recognize the monastery's historical and spiritual significance and to work toward a resolution of the dispute.

Patriarch Daniel also spoke about his recent peaceful visit to the Jerusalem Patriarchate and the Holy Land. He said that visiting places associated with the earthly lives of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and the apostles leaves a profound spiritual impression on every Orthodox Christian.

His remarks highlighted the potential of modern media to introduce people to Orthodox Christianity, alongside the importance of ecclesiastical consensus and the preservation of the Orthodox Church's historic spiritual heritage.