On the evening of April 5, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv, Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik, first vicar of the Metropolis, presided over the Bridegroom Service for Holy Monday at the Metropolitan Church of Saint Marina in Plovdiv, marking the beginning of Holy Week services.
The service is known as the “Bridegroom Service” because its opening hymn begins with the words “Behold, the Bridegroom comes,” inspired by the Gospel parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1–5).
Concelebrating with Bishop Polycarp were Bishop Vissarion of Smolyan, second vicar of the Metropolis, along with archimandrites, priests, deacons, and clergy from the Plovdiv Metropolis, including representatives of the theological school and local parishes.
The hymns were chanted antiphonally by the clergy and the Metropolitan Choir “Saint Apostle Hermas,” under the direction of Protopsaltis Georgi Radev.
During the chanting of the hymn “Thy Bridal Chamber I see…,” an icon depicting the Suffering Christ crowned with thorns was brought out from the altar and placed in the center of the church for veneration. The bishops, clergy, and faithful reverently approached and venerated the icon.
At the conclusion of the service, Bishop Polycarp called the faithful to inner humility and spiritual reflection, urging them to allow silence to dwell within their hearts. He emphasized that the encounter with the Bridegroom takes place not in noise but in spiritual depth, inviting all to walk the path of Holy Week toward Golgotha together with Christ.
Finally, he conveyed the archpastoral greetings and blessings of Metropolitan Nikolai to all those present.
Photo and video: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
