On May 24, 2025, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria led the solemn prayer service in Sofia on the occasion of the Day of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education, Culture, and Slavic Literature.
Addressing the large gathering in front of the monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Patriarch said:
“Let this day be not only a day of well-deserved joy, but also a day of awareness. A day on which we together raise our deep prayer of gratitude to the All-Good God for His truly great mercy upon our people — mercy which continues to pour upon us to this day. Let us also thank Him for those He sent us in opportune times to open our eyes to His goodness and love for mankind, by giving us the opportunity to serve Him in our native language and grow in the light of His truth.”
This year, the Bulgarian Patriarch also participated in the traditional procession, which began at the square in front of the National Archaeological Museum and concluded at the National Library “Sts. Cyril and Methodius”. There, His Holiness presided over the festive prayer service on the occasion of May 24, celebrated in Bulgaria as the Day of the Alphabet, Education, Culture, and the Slavic Script.
Participating in the liturgical celebration were Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, and Bishop Meletiy of Znepole, Rector of the Sofia Theological Seminary, along with clergy from the Sofia Metropolis including Archimandrite Ioan, Protosyncellus, Priest Antoniy Milushev, and Protodeacons Ivan Petkov and Deyan Korunoski.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Iliana Yotova, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev, government ministers, politicians, public figures, representatives from academia, cultural leaders, parents, children, and students.
In his address, Patriarch Daniel emphasized that although the holiday is known as the Day of the Alphabet, it may also rightfully be called the Day of the Word. “Because today we celebrate not only our Bulgarian script, but also the literary heritage born and still alive in the sacred language of our forefathers. We celebrate Bulgarian education and culture in all their expressions. But at the root of all this stands the Word. The word with a lowercase letter, and above all, the Word with a capital W,” he said.
He added that this day will always be a celebration of Christian enlightenment, of the letters first used to translate the Word of God, the texts of Church worship, and the inspired writings of the Holy Fathers and teachers of the Church.
In her speech, Vice President Iliana Yotova stated that “the Bulgarian language was created to unite and to glorify, not to divide and destroy.” She added, “If the mind prays in an unknown tongue, the spirit prays, but the mind remains unfruitful. From Bulgaria, books began to speak in a language understandable to many. And the lights a nation kindles to illuminate its path forward are education and culture. Light is life.”
The celebration concluded with a joyful “Many Years” acclamation and the singing of the famous hymn “March Forward, Revived People,” in honor of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
