On Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church consecrated the Holy Chrism (Svetо Miro) for the ninth time in its modern history. The sacred rite took place during the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, celebrated at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Sofia, and was presided over by Patriarch Daniel.
The consecration was attended by numerous metropolitans and bishops, including Metropolitan Joseph of the USA, Canada, and Australia, and Metropolitan Gregory of Veliko Tarnovo, among others. Several abbots, clergy, and deacons also participated, highlighting the significance of this sacred event.
During the Great Entrance, the vessels containing the chrism were solemnly brought out from the altar, passed through the Royal Doors, and placed near the Holy Table. Patriarch Daniel then read the appointed prayers and blessed the vessels. A portion of chrism from an alabaster vessel gifted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1945—marking the lifting of the 70-year schism with the Bulgarian Exarchate—was added to the new mixture.
In his homily, Patriarch Daniel emphasized the deep symbolism of the Holy Chrism: “In the Church of Christ, the fragrant Holy Chrism carries rich and profound meaning. Used in the consecration of the Holy Altar, it symbolizes the Tomb of Christ—the very place from which Life Himself arose, for death could not contain Him.”
He further explained: “According to St. Symeon of Thessaloniki and other Church Fathers, Holy Chrism represents the abundance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, poured out upon us—those buried with Christ in His death and reborn in the mystery of new and eternal life.”
Patriarch Daniel described the consecration of Holy Chrism as “one of the holiest events in our Church life” and a reminder of the great gift of autocephaly: “Autocephaly is not just an honor, but a sacred responsibility. It is a privilege that obliges.”
Following the Divine Liturgy, the consecrated vessels were taken in procession to the Synodal Palace and placed before the iconostasis of the chapel of St. Boris the Baptizer. From there, they will be stored in the Chrism Repository of the Holy Synod for future use in sacraments such as baptism, chrismation, and the consecration of altars and antimensia.
This solemn event also formed part of the celebrations marking the 140th anniversary of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s autocephaly.
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
