The Bulgarian Orthodox parish of Saint Patriarch Euthymius of Tarnovo in Paris joyfully celebrated a significant milestone—20 years since its establishment in its current church—together with its diocesan bishop, Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe, on the feast of Palm Sunday.
The community first entered the church in 2006, after overcoming numerous difficulties, including the lack of a permanent place of worship. At that time, the parish priest, Archimandrite Emilian (Botsanovski), secured the use of the храм through the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris, where the first Divine Liturgy in Bulgarian was celebrated on Palm Sunday.
In recent years, Metropolitan Anthony has expressed the community’s gratitude to the Catholic authorities and its desire to acquire a permanent храм in Paris. Notably, the Metropolis has already established or renovated churches in cities such as Vienna, The Hague, Stuttgart, London, and Leipzig, creating spiritual centers for Bulgarian faithful abroad.
A Living Parish Community
The Palm Sunday celebration brought together clergy, faithful, and children actively involved in parish life. Metropolitan Anthony was welcomed by Archimandrite Emilian and Protopresbyter Ivan Karageorgiev, along with subdeacons and parish members.
Children participating in catechism classes and choir workshops took part in the Divine Liturgy, either by carrying candles or singing in the choir. During Holy Communion, they also performed the troparion of the parish’s heavenly patron.
Message of Faith and Spiritual Struggle
In his homily, Metropolitan Anthony reflected on the meaning of the feast, the instability of human nature, and the spiritual struggle each person faces. Referring to Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and the raising of Lazarus, he emphasized that Christ demonstrated His authority over life and death.
He also highlighted the contrast between the people who welcomed Christ as the Messiah and those who later called for His crucifixion, noting that every person today faces a similar choice—whether to remain faithful to Christ or to betray Him.
The Metropolitan stressed that in times marked by war, division, and fear, believers must renew their spiritual strength through the sacraments, especially Confession, in order to continue their personal journey toward salvation.
Strengthening Identity and Tradition Abroad
Metropolitan Anthony expressed gratitude to the parish clergy, the church council, and the faithful for preserving their faith and praying for Bulgaria. He noted that living abroad often deepens a sense of longing for one’s homeland, while the church serves as a place where traditions and spiritual identity are kept alive.
He also thanked Desislava Bineva, Director of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Paris, for organizing exhibitions of Orthodox icons, highlighting the fruitful collaboration between cultural and ecclesiastical institutions.
Looking to the Future
The celebration concluded with the distribution of blessed palm branches to all attendees and a children’s book titled “Christ is Risen!” published by the sisterhood of the Klisura Monastery. A festive meal followed, bringing the community together in a spirit of unity and fellowship.
As the Bulgarian Orthodox community in Paris continues to grow, it remains committed to finding a permanent place of worship that will serve not only the present generation but also future ones, preserving faith, culture, and identity abroad.
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
