On January 20, Metropolitan Nikolai of Plovdiv received Montenegro’s Minister of Transport, Maya Vukičević, Bulgaria’s Minister of Tourism, Miroslav Borshosh, and the Mayor of Plovdiv, Kostadin Dimitrov. The official meeting took place in the reception hall of the new Metropolitan residence.
Together with the Metropolitan, the guests were welcomed by Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik and Bishop Visarion of Smolyan, vicars of the Metropolitan of Plovdiv; Archimandrite Maxim, diocesan spiritual overseer; Hieromonk Petar Eremeev, a clergyman of the Plovdiv Metropolis; Protopresbyter Todor Hadjiev, protosyncellus of the Plovdiv Metropolis; Protopresbyter Angel Angelov, spiritual overseer; and Radomir Cholakov, head of the Metropolitan’s office.
The delegation accompanying Minister Vukičević from Montenegro included Radivoje Brajović, chargé d’affaires of the Montenegrin embassy in Sofia; Milena Tošić, secretary to the Minister of Tourism; Jelena Maraš, president of the board of directors of Montenegro Airports (MNE Airports); and Tijana Milonjić, advisor to the Minister of Transport.
Metropolitan Nikolai introduced the leadership of the Metropolis to the guests and acquainted them with the liturgical life, cultural and educational initiatives, social activities, and church construction projects within the diocese.
He described Montenegro as a small country in terms of territory but of immense spiritual significance to the Orthodox world and expressed a wish for the spirit of Christ’s love to prevail in the relations between nations.
Minister Maya Vukičević expressed her respect for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, shared her impressions of her visit to Plovdiv, and expressed hope that the good relations between the two countries and their peoples would continue.
The Metropolitan of Plovdiv wished Minister Miroslav Borshosh a dignified and fruitful tenure in his challenging mission. His Eminence presented Maya Vukičević, Miroslav Borshosh, and Radivoje Brajović with icons of the Most Holy Theotokos and Lord Jesus Christ as prayerful blessings and tokens of remembrance.
Source: Patriachate of Bulgaria
