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The Controversial Bulgarian Archimandrite Nikanor Tried to Drag the Vatican Into a Scheme to Elect the Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Part Three)

Part Two

Nikanor: Wait, wait, wait. You don’t understand… What is your nuncio doing here? Don’t you have a diplomatic representative?

Vatican Representative: All right, all right.

Nikanor: He’ll take care of everything as needed. Listen, I’m no diplomat—you know how these things work. I’m just… I don’t know what you’d call me. I’m just a strategist at headquarters. I tell you what needs to happen. So…

Vatican Representative: (words indistinct)

Nicanor: Come on, don’t do that—otherwise he’ll end up badly, they’ll cut off his head, and someday they’ll cut mine off too.

Vatican Representative: He’s paving the way for everyone.

Nicanor: That’s right. This is very important, because this is the decisive moment. So that Nikolai doesn’t slip up, so that he’s… and again, I’m saying that Borisov is really the key factor here. He listens to him; they listen to each other. So that Borisov understands that the Vatican would truly be pleased, so to speak....not to say “would like,” because that sounds too much like... Would be pleased—they would be very pleasantly surprised, and His Holiness the Pope would be overjoyed if the Bulgarian state (translator’s note: a slip in the original; the Church is meant) were led by Patriarch Naum, who would open... But it’s true. We’re not just saying this for the sake of it; you know him—the one who would open the Bulgarian Church...

Vatican Representative: I don’t… I don’t know him, but you know, it’s never… you could say the same thing about other Patriarchs from whom we expected a lot—both hopes and progress… And then, when they became Patriarchs, they did a complete 180—no, a 360-degree turn.

Nikanor: That was... That’s the Russian one. No, not that one... So, look, you have an opportunity; I agree. Kirill, Kirill... And Porphyry turned away a bit. But look, personally, I—listen... You’re right, but on the other hand, someone who...

Vatican Representative: You know more. I don’t know them. That’s how it is. You know them even more intimately, more like—forum internum (their inner world).

Nikanor: I know them intimately. Naum and I have known each other for a very long time. We’ve talked; we go to the Holy Mountain...
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The Controversial Bulgarian Archimandrite Nikanor Tried to Draw the Vatican into a Scheme to Elect the Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Part Two)

Part One

It is even possible that Metropolitan Naum of Ruse was unaware of Nikanor’s machinations, although the archimandrite persistently emphasizes that he and the metropolitan have a close relationship. It is likely that, through this plan, Mishkov hoped that if Metropolitan Naum were elected Patriarch, he himself would be rewarded in some way and gain the opportunity to acquire greater authority within the Sofia Metropolis and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as a whole.

In any case, Nikanor’s calculations did not pan out, since on June 20, 2024, the Holy Synod voted to select three candidates from whom the Patriarch was to be elected: Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa, Metropolitan Daniel of Vidin, and Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech. In the vote, Naum of Ruse received zero votes.

Specifically regarding one of these metropolitans of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church who made it into the top three, Nikanor allowed himself to make unacceptable comments and assessments in front of a foreign representative. In a telephone conversation, he says of Gregory of Vratsa that “he won’t do anything” because he is subordinate to Metropolitan Nicholas.

Transcript of the controversial recording:

Nikanor: Gregory, so... that means Nicholas will be in charge of both the Sofia Diocese and the entire Church. But this guy won’t do anything—not with the Vatican, not with the Ukrainians, not with anything. He’s inert… Back when he was an abbot, they used to throw, you know, gay parties and all that at his monastery. So, I’m calling to suggest that, while there’s still time, we discuss this through your channels. I propose approaching the Holy Father again—through the cardinal, that is. I believe we need to exert some influence. And directly through your personal connection with Nikolai—so that you can go see him, pay him a visit, and bring him something from the Pope after Easter. Does he truly believe he is ready to do the right thing—to support Naum? That is the right course of action. Naum is very close, as you know, to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This best aligns with the Vatican’s policy, since your guiding principle is to ensure that the Ecumenical Patriarch is well taken care of and supported. I, too, share this position, which is why we believe that Naum is the right man for the job. However, aside from—as they say—your visit to Nikolai, I recommend... since you find yourselves, so to speak, in a dichotomy—you have both a soul and a body, unlike us, who are guided solely by the soul—I strongly recommend that the Vatican, in the most delicate and diplomatic manner possible (of course, you know that anything is possible), to exert some influence here. So, the key players are Borisov and Peevsky, or the Bulgarian government.

Vatican Representative: Oh, my God, Peevsky. Good Lord!

Nikanor: Well, that’s the situation—they’re the key players, but Borisov can do it. Borisov can do it; he—Borisov—is enough, all right. Who the Vatican would like to see in the place of Patriarch Naum of Ruse, and that’s what Borisov must convince Nikolai of. That’s all; I absolutely had to tell you this, and I must—for God’s sake—tell you.

Vatican Representative: No, not here—only… Who’s coming… the president in May, and we’ll be meeting with them.
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Controversial Bulgarian Archimandrite Nikanor Tried to Draw the Vatican into a Scheme to Elect the Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Part One)

Hristo Mishkov, better known as Father Nikanor, demanded the resignation of Patriarch Daniel. The reason is that, while serving as Metropolitan of Sofia, the primate refused to sign Mishkov’s letter of dismissal until he submitted all accounting documents for an audit of the enormous sums allocated through various channels to the Gigin Monastery.

An audio recording sheds light on a phone conversation initiated by Hristo Mishkov, in which he lobbies on behalf of Metropolitan Naum of Ruse while simultaneously speaking ill of other bishops.

Archimandrite Nikanor (born Hristo Mishkov) attempted to involve the Vatican in exerting pressure on Bulgarian politicians and metropolitans in order to influence the election of the Patriarch and tip the scales in favor of a very specific bishop.

This becomes clear from a recording of a telephone conversation sent to the editorial office of the newspaper “24 Hours.”

Mishkov is lobbying for the candidacy of Metropolitan Naum of Ruse, who was one of the nine hierarchs eligible for election as Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. In the conversation, the archimandrite explains that he is recommending Naum because he “best aligns with Vatican policy and is close to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”

At the same time, Nikanor openly speaks ill of the metropolitans of the Holy Synod and also draws politicians Boyko Borisov and Delian Peevski into his scheme, and refers to himself as “a strategist at headquarters who says what needs to happen.”

Nikanor’s scandalous conversation took place sometime in the second half of March 2024; the initiative came from the archimandrite, and for most of the time, he is the only one speaking. The person Mishkov is speaking with is a representative of the Roman Curia who, at one time, was a missionary in Bulgaria and therefore understands and speaks Bulgarian very well. The editorial staff of “24 Hours” contacted him and received confirmation that such a conversation did indeed take place.

When we also reached out to Nikanor for comment, he answered “no” when asked whether such a conversation had taken place. “I don’t know who you’re talking about; I think you’re confusing me with someone else. I get the feeling you want to line my pockets with money. Sounds good. Anything else?” said the archimandrite, after which he ended the conversation.

The plan that Mishkov tried to propose to the Vatican in the period following Patriarch Neofit’s death consists, in broad terms, of influencing Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv. According to Nikanor, the election of Gregory of Vratsa would mean that Nikolai of Plovdiv would govern the entire Church. Therefore, Mishkov suggests that the Catholic representative, “while there is still time” after Easter, take gifts from the Pope to Metropolitan Nikolay in Plovdiv and thus influence him to support the candidacy of Naum of Ruse.

The next move proposed by Archimandrite Nikanor is to put pressure on Nikolai of Plovdiv through “figures in the government”—the politicians Boyko Borisov and Delian Peevski.
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A Symbolic Story

This isthe story of how one bishop wanted to curry favor with the Maidan supporters, the authorities, and Catholic forces. To that end, he not only subjected himself to various humiliations but also resorted to bribing Ukraine’s new rulers. In return, he received nothing but contempt and spit in his face. De facto, he isn’t even considered a human being.
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Serbian Professor Zoran Čvorović: "Metropolitan Gregory’s support for the decisions of the so-called Council in Theophania is a major scandal"

Zoran Čvorović, a professor at the Faculty of Law in Kragujevac, responded to Duric’s statement by asking, “Will the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church ignore this new and, possibly, the biggest scandal involving His Eminence Gregory?”

“In Sumy, according to information published on the UOC website, Duric told Metropolitan Evlogiy of Sumy—a representative of the autocephalous wing within the UOC—that he recognizes the non-canonical and schismatic decision of the so-called UOC council in Feofaniya, which was adopted under obvious pressure from Ukrainian special services, aimed at severing unity with the Moscow Patriarchate, and which effectively proclaimed autocephaly. “His Eminence Gregory explicitly states that he recognizes the decisions of the so-called council in Feofaniya, even though the Serbian Orthodox Church does not recognize them,” the expert emphasized.

Professor Zoran Čvorović also recalled why the issue of canonical status and the unilateral proclamation of ecclesiastical independence is particularly sensitive for the Serbian Orthodox Church:

“The Serbian Patriarchate also faces attempts to challenge its jurisdiction — from the so-called Montenegrin Orthodox Church of Dedeić to Nikola Džufka, who in Kosovo and Metohija presents himself as the head of the ‘Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Kosovo.’”
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Duric to Ukraine, Zelensky to Serbia

Interestingly, Metropolitan Gregory’s visit to Sumy coincided with Zelensky’s trip to Belgrade.

Telegram channel “Politics of the Country”:

“Zelenskyy will visit Serbia for the first time, a high-ranking Ukrainian official told AFP.

According to the official, Zelenskyy’s first trip to Belgrade is scheduled for Saturday, August 8.

The official noted the symbolic significance of this visit to Serbia, a country that has traditionally been close to Moscow.

‘We need to pull the Serbs away from Russia,’ the agency’s source said, adding that Ukrainian authorities believe that with his visit to Belgrade, Zelenskyy will ‘deliver a slap in the face to the Russians.’

In the context of these statements, Duric’s visit to Ukraine took on added significance.
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What a disgrace—that’s all there is to it!

https://t.me/upc_news/33495

Everyone has known for a long time that Metropolitan Filaret renounced his diocese long ago.

But here, in exchange for a “thank you” and the chance to become “one of them,” he is openly handing over the monastery building to be used as a rehabilitation center.
Sadovyi’s words—that not a single community of the Moscow Patriarchate remains in the Lviv region—have already been forgotten, as has the fact that the Lviv City Council passed a law banning the UOC in the city.

A nightmare.

A disgrace, pure and simple!

Oleg Smirnov
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On the Serbian Church’s Position Regarding Theophania

In light of the statements made by Metropolitan Gregory (Duric), we would like to highlight a few points.

The Serbian Church aligns itself with the position of the Russian Church on the issue of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (as long as Moscow continues to use the term “canonical Church in Ukraine” at the official level, the Serbian Patriarchate will do the same).

Moreover, it is worth noting that the Serbian Orthodox Church publicly recognizes the Russian Orthodox Church as the Mother Church for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

As an example, we can cite a letter from Patriarch Porphyrius addressed to the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church (July 2024):

“The cries of the Orthodox Ukrainian people, faithful to their canonical Church, do not reach those in whose hands power is concentrated and who are capable of influencing the rulers of Ukraine to stop the persecution and anti-church terror that are gaining ever greater momentum.

We will continue to strive, at every opportunity, to draw the attention of the Christian and international communities to their suffering, calling on all influential institutions to stop turning a blind eye to all the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over the past months and years, and, ultimately, to take measures to put an end to this lawlessness.

May the Eternal Word of God, risen from the dead, pour out abundant blessings upon the long-suffering Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its Mother, the Most Holy Russian Orthodox Church, and may He bestow upon you, Your Holiness, as well as upon the entire hierarchy, clergy, and faithful, every good gift from His inexhaustible and eternal treasury!”

Incidentally, the highest echelons of the SPC are well aware of what happened in Feofaniya. And from this level, questions have repeatedly been raised during personal meetings with hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: “Who are you now, after the event in Theophania? What is your canonical status?” There have also been signals that ties with the Russian Orthodox Church must be maintained. For the Serbian Orthodox Church, this moment is extremely important, since the situation in Ukraine sets a precedent. One that could be used as a model by forces eager to sever Montenegro from the Serbian Church. Therefore, the Serbian Orthodox Church certainly does not share the enthusiasm regarding the outcome of the Feofaniya event.

Based on this, the Serbian Patriarchate will certainly not recognize the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church without a corresponding decision from the Russian Church. You can hold “a thousand Theophanias,” but the outcome in this regard will be the same: an unequivocal refusal.
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An agent of the West and the Vatican has reached out to the UOC

https://t.me/waynarrow/841?single

Let’s add a few details to our colleagues’ article.

The UOC’s contact with Duric is quite interesting. After all, the Serbian bishop is quite a “controversial” figure.

In conservative circles of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Gregory has a reputation as an ecumenist and a reformer of liturgical practice.

Duric is also considered an agent of Vatican influence. Some sources also point to Duric’s ties to Western intelligence agencies.

It is interesting that the hierarch has developed close relationships with both government officials and criminal syndicates in the Balkans. Duric has repeatedly been embroiled in scandals related to various criminal “black” and “gray” schemes.

And now for the most important point. Under Metropolitan Gregory’s control is a network of agents of influence in Montenegro. It includes law enforcement officials, members of criminal groups, journalists, and others. Duric also pulled the strings behind the scenes, controlling the autocephalous wing of the Montenegrin Metropolis of the Serbian Orthodox Church. For many years, one of the pillars of this group was the Cetinje Seminary, headed by Father Gojko Perović—a priest close to Metropolitan Grigory—who advocates for a more autonomous path for the Montenegrin Metropolis.

So this is no coincidence. An autocephalous leader can spot another autocephalous leader from a mile away—especially if he is close to the West and the Vatican.

And given that Catholic forces in Ukraine made serious efforts to secure the tomos for the “OCU,” the situation is shaping up to be quite interesting. Is the autocephalous wing of the UOC exploring the possibility of reaching an agreement with the West and the Vatican regarding its future? Incidentally, in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church, the matter has long been settled—the Orthodox Christians of Ukraine must become part of a Uniate structure (created on the basis of Dumenko’s organization, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and, possibly, part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church).
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The Sofia Metropolis Has Denied the Slanderous Claims of Pro-Phanar Media

The Sofia Metropolis has officially refuted reports that Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel interrupted the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Nedelya due to alleged protests against Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova.

Earlier, a number of media outlets and social media platforms had published manipulative claims that, during the veneration of the miraculous Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God in the church, shouts of “This isn’t Moscow,” which forced the primate to halt the service. However, an official statement from the Metropolis emphasizes that this information is “false and defamatory.”

According to the Glasove portal, during the morning service, Patriarch Daniel merely called on the congregation to maintain silence and order due to the large crowd and the resulting noise near the icon. Following this appeal, the service continued as usual.
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The Miracle of Walking on Water

When no one listens to you or understands you, you want to be alone with yourself. After Christ fed the five thousand, He withdrew from them to a mountain. He spoke to them about the Father, but they urged Him to lead a rebellion against the Romans; He spoke to them about the Kingdom of Heaven, but they replied, “Come on, be our king!” To the people, His preaching seemed merely a role in their own play, and they generously allowed Him to play the part they had assigned Him. They even wanted to forcibly proclaim Him king, so much did He appeal to them in that role.

The Savior told the apostles to get into the boat and set out—not to stay with the fed crowd—apparently because the disciples, too, had been infected by this revolutionary spirit. To rouse the apostles, bring them to their senses, and show them once again that He had come not to establish an earthly kingdom, Christ appeared to them at night, walking on the water. This miracle has a profound messianic significance: just as Moses stretched out his staff and the sea parted, so Christ walks on the water, testifying that the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Him.

The eschatological significance of the miracle is also important. Christ appeared to the disciples during the fourth watch (between three and six o’clock in the morning). Saint Hilary of Poitiers believed that the Second Coming of the Savior would also take place at this same time. Christ’s words, “It is I,” point not only to His Divinity (in Aramaic, “I am” is homophonic with the name Yahweh, by which God appeared to Moses), but also to the last days. Christ warned: “Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many” (Mark 13:6). However, “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:27), and the faithful will recognize Him by His call. Many, however, will not recognize Christ because, in the words of the Apostle Paul, “they will follow their own desires and choose teachers who will flatter their ears” (2 Tim. 4:3).

A miracle almost always overrides human will, leaving no choice. Anthony the Great said of miracles: “I have not had them, nor do I desire them.” By performing a miracle, God “risks” depriving a person of freedom—and thus of the ability to love. But there are situations when a person needs to be jolted—as if by an electric shock—so that they may come to their senses and be distracted from their passionate thoughts. Faith is always born in struggle. Each of us has an inner spiritual split: in church, we contemplate the iconostasis and yearn for Heaven, but upon returning home, at the very first mundane concern, we lose that exalted state.

This is what happened to Peter. Upon seeing the Savior, his soul rejoiced. As John Chrysostom wrote, “Peter rejoices not because they are walking on the water, but because he is walking toward Christ.” But doubt dwelt within Peter. His words—“Lord! if it is You, command me to come to You on the water,” are full of uncertainty. He was frightened: what if this isn’t the Lord, but a spirit that wants to drown him in the depths? As soon as doubt crept into his heart, Peter began to sink. This is how the evil one steals our prayerful attitude, throwing a noose of fears and questions around our minds: Does God hear me? Does He need me? Is this really the One I am seeking?

Waves and water in the Bible symbolize the abyss. We walk on the surface of this abyss both literally and figuratively. Literally—on the thin crust of the earth, beneath which lava bubbles; figuratively—in a realm of constant threats, illness, and sorrow. To avoid drowning, prayer is essential—a means of gathering one’s mind and will, a way to combat the duality of consciousness.

If we clear our minds of anxieties and direct all our will toward the desire to love Christ, then at some point we will see ourselves “drowning.” But it is precisely then that we will notice the Savior’s saving hand, stretched out to us over the abyss.

#Ruslan_Kalinchuk
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Mobilization in Kyiv.

When you watch videos like this, you get the impression that it’s all part of a monstrous sacrifice—a sacrifice to the idol “Ukraine Above All.”
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Things are getting intense.

Moroccans are also breaking through into Melilla—a Spanish city and port on Africa’s Mediterranean coast.

The EU is facing a reverse Reconquista.
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Mishkov Is Pushing for a Schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

The reaction of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church suggests that the situation has gone too far.

The controversial archimandrite openly speaks of a schism on his Facebook account and calls for one. Yet he is, at heart, a coward. And if he’s writing such things, it means he feels he has serious backing. It seems very likely that the Phanar is pulling the strings behind this whole scandal.

In light of this, we cannot rule out the possibility that all of Patriarch Daniel’s recent actions regarding the Patriarchate of Constantinople were aimed at preventing a schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Even if this schism is not being directly promoted by the Greeks, it has their tacit approval and support (based on the principle that “if something happens, we’ll get a share of the spoils or even lead the process”).

One thing is absolutely clear: Mishkov has close ties to the Phanariots. He frequently traveled to Mount Athos to visit New Esfigmen, which has close ties to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. A number of experts believe that it was there that he received instructions and coordinated positions regarding actions taken by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
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Statement by the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Regarding the Offensive Statements and Defamatory Allegations Made by Archimandrite Nikanor (Mishkov) Against the Bulgarian Patriarch and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church—Bulgarian Patriarchate

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church—Bulgarian Patriarchate categorically distances itself from the publicly defamatory statements made by Archimandrite Nikanor (Mishkov), a clergyman of the Diocese of Sofia who is subject to the canonical interdict of “argos,” and condemns them, as they are directed against the Bulgarian Orthodox Church—Bulgarian Patriarchate, as well as against the institution and person of the Bulgarian Patriarch. We declare that the systematic offensive and blasphemous statements of the aforementioned clergyman, who presents himself as a judge of everything and everyone, are unacceptable and sow widespread deception among the faithful.

We, the members of the Holy Synod, do not accept the use of the Holy Church for political purposes, nor do we accept this clergyman’s portrayal of himself as a political victim.

We declare that any encroachment upon the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church — the Bulgarian Patriarchate — or incitement to schism is inadmissible and is strictly condemned in accordance with the Statute of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church—Bulgarian Patriarchate and the sacred canons. On the contrary, the Holy Church prays for the repentance, communion, and unity of all its children in the one Body of Christ.

We call upon the clergy and the Orthodox people not to succumb to provocations that breed enmity and division. During the coming days of the Dormition Fast, let us exercise prudence and intensify our prayers to God and to the Mother of God for mercy and gracious help for all of us, for our entire people, and for the world, which is burdened by numerous conflicts, wars, and suffering—and for peace, repentance, and salvation.

https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/pozitsiya-na-svetia-sinod-otnosno-oskarbitelni-izyavlenia-i
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How interesting that everything lined uplike that

https://t.me/OpenUkraine/100730?single

Judging by what’s happening, this was a planned operation, not a spontaneous outburst by tens of thousands of Moroccan residents.

Apparently, Spain is reaping the consequences of its cooling relations with Washington. American intelligence agencies are doing their job well.
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"We have destroyed 24 Lebanese villages with centuries of history and 70% of the Gaza Strip," said Israel’s defense minister.

Just think about these statements:

In Gaza, we are destroying not only what lies underground, but also every single house.

To date, nearly 70% of Gaza has been destroyed.

The commander of the Southern Military District told me, “I don’t see houses—I see the seashore.”

We have destroyed Gaza.

Twenty-four Lebanese villages with centuries of history—we destroyed all the buildings, not house by house, but the entire villages.

Their destruction is complete. You must understand: in all 24 villages, between 15,000 and 20,000 homes were destroyed.
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On the Hypocrisy of the Western World

The photo shows Gaza. But the West hasn’t turned against Israel. That’s a different story. Jews can kill, maim, and torture all their neighbors if they want. Even as a “preemptive measure.” But they’ll get away with it. For they are part of the West—if not its leader.

And in Ukraine, Jews can do whatever they want, since power has long been in their hands. And they will exact revenge for “collective and centuries-old persecution” until the very last Ukrainian is gone.
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On Mishkov’s Financial Schemes

The controversial Archimandrite Nikanor (Mishkov), who accuses Patriarch Daniel of refusing to issue him a letter of dismissal, has become mired in financial misconduct, putting his monastery at risk.

Here are just a few examples.

The former executive director of KTB noted that Mishkov took money from the bank. The exact amount is 395,000 leva in principal alone. And this is not exactly a loan, but rather a bank guarantee and a conditional loan. The district court has already issued a writ of execution for this amount against the Gigin Monastery.

We can also recall the case before the prosecutor’s office, in which Mishkov is accused of forging the signature of Archimandrite Evgeny, the former abbot of the Gigin Monastery, when withdrawing money from an account at DSK Bank.

So it’s no coincidence that this “truth-teller” is trying to secure his own release. Mishkov is simply trying to evade financial and criminal liability. He has shifted all responsibility for repaying his debts and accountability for the related financial fraud onto the Sofia Metropolis and the Gigin Monastery.
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In the U.S., Orthodox Christians have spoken out against awarding Zelenskyy the “Beacon of Hope” Award

A petition has been launched in the U.S. against the decision by the congregation of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in New York to award Volodymyr Zelenskyy the “Beacon of Hope” award for 2026. This was reported by the OrthoChristian website.

The petition, published on the Orthodox Reflections website, was initiated by Orthodox Christian Cassandra St. John. In an open letter to the church’s board of trustees, she notes that Zelenskyy “rulesUkraine as a police state, freezing elections, silencing critics, and censoring the media.” The petition’s authors also accuse the Ukrainian authorities of brutally persecuting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, including the forcible seizure of more than 1,000 of its churches, the arrest of clergy, and the forced mobilization of clergy into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The petition describes the decision to award Zelenskyy as “a directslap in the face to all Orthodox jurisdictions in NorthAmerica” that are praying for the faithful of the UOC. Each signature on the petition is automatically forwarded to the leadership of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops.

At the same time, representatives of St. Nicholas Church defend their decision, stating that the award is given for “unwaveringdefense of freedom and human dignity.”
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