On April 17, Bright Friday, the Orthodox Church commemorates the miracle of the healing of a blind man by the Most Holy Theotokos near Constantinople, at the site of the “Life-Giving Spring.”
On this occasion, the church of “Holy Mother of God – Life-Giving Spring” in the Poduyane district of Sofia celebrated its feast day with a solemn Divine Liturgy, presided over by Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria.
Concelebrating with him were Archimandrite Nazariy, Abbot of Shiyakovo Monastery, clergy of the Sofia Diocese, and Protodeacon Ivan Petkov.
During the service, the young Ivaylo was tonsured as reader, chanter, and candle-bearer, while the Sacrament of Ordination was also performed, as Patriarch Daniel ordained Monk Makariy of the Monastery of St. Archangel Michael in Shiyakovo to the rank of hierodeacon.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch addressed the faithful, emphasizing the significance of the Resurrection of Christ: “Christ’s Resurrection brings great joy… But what benefit is there if we do not partake of its gifts…? The Lord Himself says: ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10).”
Referring to the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice, he underlined that Christ came “to remove the barrier between God and humanity, which is sin, and to reconcile us with God… He became our peace with God.”
Following the Liturgy, a blessing of water was held in the church courtyard, and the Patriarch sprinkled the faithful with holy water.
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Text and photos: Plamen Mihaylov
Source: Holy Metropolis of Sofia
