A concelebrated hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated on May 8, feast day of St. Arsenius the Great, at the Cathedral Church of St. Demetrius in Sliven, on the occasion of the name day of Metropolitan Arsenius of Sliven.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan Arsenius, concelebrating with Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv, Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora, Bishop Sionius of Velichka, abbot of the Bachkovo Monastery, Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik, Bishop Vissarion of Smolyan, Bishop Isaac of Velbazhd, and Bishop Bogoslov of Marcianopolis.
Clergy from Bulgaria and Greece also participated in the service, including Archimandrite Ignatius from the Monastery of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Paleochori, Halkidiki, Archimandrite Dimitry, protosyncellus of the Metropolis of Sliven, and other clerics of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
The hymns of Matins and the Divine Liturgy were chanted by Protopsalt Michael Disos from the island of Lesbos together with chanters from Romania led by Protopsalt Marin Pintya.
Among those attending the Divine Liturgy were local government officials, representatives of public institutions, benefactors of the Holy Metropolis, and numerous faithful who came to honor the heavenly patron of Metropolitan Arsenius and venerate the relics of St. George the Trophy-Bearer.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas of Plovdiv read the congratulatory message of Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria to Metropolitan Arsenius, wishing him strength and continued fruitful ministry for the benefit of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and its faithful.
On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Sliven Diocese, Archimandrite Dimitry also addressed Metropolitan Arsenius, expressing gratitude, filial love, and wishes for many years of episcopal ministry.
At the conclusion of the celebration, Metropolitan Arsenius thanked the hierarchs, clergy, monastics, chanters, and faithful for their presence, prayers, and heartfelt wishes.
Photos: Yordan Vasilev
You can view the photos by clicking HERE.
