Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria awarded the “Saint John of Rila” medal to Metropolitan Gregory of Peristeri.
The “Saint John of Rila” medal was bestowed upon Metropolitan Grigorios as a token of recognition for his services to the Church of Bulgaria. In 2009, he provided the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria with a canonical opinion regarding the schism in Bulgaria, responding to the request of the late Patriarch of Bulgaria, Maxim, and on the initiative of the late Metropolitan Nathanael of Nevrokop. This opinion, which was later sent by decision of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate, to the European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg), played a decisive role in the vindication of the Bulgarian Patriarchate in the trial organized by the then schismatics in the Bulgarian state.
Metropolitan Gregory expressed his gratitude for the honor and stated that he is ready to continue assisting and contributing to the works of our Church in the future.
The award ceremony, held in the reception hall of the Patriarchal Old Synod, was also attended by the Metropolitans Gabriel of Lovech, Anthony of Western and Central Europe, Seraphim of Nevrokop, Cyprian of Stara Zagora, Bishop Gerasimos of Melnik, Secretary-General of the Holy Synod, Archimandrite Dionysios, and Associate Professor Dr. Maria Kioseva.
Metropolitan Gregory of Peristeri (Papatomas) is visiting the Bulgarian Patriarchate on the occasion of the presentation of the book “Civil Status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church,” authored by Associate Professor Dr. Maria Kioseva.
Photos: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
