On June 29, the Holy Church commemorates the memory of the glorious, all-praised, and foremost apostles Peter and Paul.
On the eve of the feast, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nikolay of Plovdiv, Bishop Polikarp of Belogradchik served the Festive Vespers with the blessing of loaves. The following morning, he presided over the hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the church dedicated to the foremost apostles in the city of Plovdiv.
Concelebrating with the bishop were Archimandrite Maksim — diocesan spiritual overseer, Archimandrite Petar — clergy of the Plovdiv Metropolis, Stavrophore Priest Todor Hadzhiev — protopresbyter of the Plovdiv Metropolis, Stavrophore Priest Deyan Stoenchev — spiritual overseer, Protopresbyter Angel Angelov — spiritual overseer, Stavrophore Priest Todor Todorov — church chairman, priests from the city, Metropolitan Protodeacon Iliyan Aleksandrov, and Deacon Kaloyan Mindev.
The liturgical chants were performed by the metropolitan choir “St. Apostle Herm” under the direction of Protopsalt Georgi Radev.
At the end of the service, Bishop Polikarp of Belogradchik delivered an inspired address before the large congregation, recalling the zealous ministry of the holy apostles Peter and Paul and their gracious repentance that led them to the greatest heights.
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
