A festive celebration titled “Feast of Orthodox Spirit and Traditions” took place for the eighth consecutive year on April 9, Holy Thursday, at Sveta Nedelya Square in Sofia. The event was organized by the Sofia Holy Metropolis in collaboration with the Sunday School of the Church of Saint Paraskeva and the Association for the Development of Bulgarian Sports.
This year, around 80 children from schools and kindergartens across the capital participated, painting more than 300 Easter eggs under the guidance of teachers and volunteers. The celebration combined creativity and play, as children alternated between decorating eggs and taking part in fun sports activities, while a children’s animator and a DJ contributed to the joyful atmosphere.
Following the activities, the children entered the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Nedelya, where the Basil Divine Liturgy for Holy Thursday was being celebrated. There, they received a blessing with holy oil from Stavrophore Economos Kiril Popov, while organizers distributed gift baskets containing sweets and a booklet about the Resurrection of Christ.
The children were also blessed by Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, who encouraged them in their participation. In a gesture of charity, the children then brought the baskets of eggs to the historic Church of Saint Petka, where they were donated to people in need.
The event concluded with a children’s performance of the hymn “Bogoroditse Devo” in the courtyard of the historic church, highlighting the spiritual and communal character of the celebration.
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
