On Meatfare Sunday, February 15, 2026, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia and Komotini of the Church of Greece presided at the Archieratical Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Ivaylovgrad, at the invitation of Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv.
Concelebrating were Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv, bishops of the Metropolis, clergy and deacons. The Metropolitan Choir chanted the hymns.
Local authorities and officials were present, including the Mayor of Ivaylovgrad and representatives of the Haskovo Region.
The head of the Metropolis of Plovdiv thanked Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia and Komotini for accepting the fraternal invitation to preside at the Divine Liturgy, noting that this concelebration bore witness to Christ’s love, which is the unbreakable bond between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Church of Greece.
He expressed the wish that this love may continue to prevail in the relations between the two peoples, the two Local Orthodox Churches, and their dioceses.
Metropolitan Panteleimon stated that he accepted Metropolitan Nicholas’ invitation with great love and joy, rejoicing in the spiritual communion in the beautiful Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Ivaylovgrad. He congratulated the Metropolitan of Plovdiv on the 19th anniversary of his enthronement and wished him many years of service, asking that the Lord Jesus Christ grant him many years to bless the faithful with his archpastoral ministry and prayers.
View photos from the event at the link HERE.
