On June 11, the Orthodox Church commemorated the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, as well as Saint Luke of Simferopol. The celebration took place at the Church of St. George the Victorious in the Gorublyane district of Sofia, where the only chapel in Sofia dedicated to St. Bartholomew stands. The festive Divine Liturgy was led by Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, accompanied by numerous clergy members.
The church was filled with worshippers venerating relics of the honored saints. Patriarch Daniel delivered a profound homily emphasizing the coming of the Holy Spirit as the great teacher of the Church, the purifier and unifier of hearts, and the source of sanctification. He spoke about the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the apostles and the Church’s history, underscoring the necessity of spiritual cleansing and repentance to unite with God.
Patriarch Daniel also honored St. Luke of Simferopol, a saint who courageously professed his faith amid persecution in Soviet Russia, enduring exile and hardship while bringing blessing and enlightenment to many.
The Patriarch congratulated Hierodeacon Bartholomew on his nameday and presented him with a silver cross for his devoted service. After the Liturgy, a procession was held to the nearby chapel of St. Bartholomew, where Patriarch Daniel performed a water blessing and sprinkled holy water on the congregation to conclude the feast.
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
