On Friday evening, July 25, 2025, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of Saint Panteleimon in the town of Samokov, marking the 7th Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, as well as the Holy Seven Enlighteners of Bulgaria.
In his sermon, His Holiness stated: “When, as Orthodox Christians, we strive to uproot wickedness, selfishness, and hatred—and instead cultivate love and compassion—we receive God’s blessing upon ourselves.”
The Divine Liturgy was concelebrated with Protopresbyter Michael Kolev, Archpriest of the Samokov District; Protopresbyter Georgi Nikolov, rector of the parish; Protopresbyters Lyubomir Mishkov and Emiliyan Damyanov; and Priests Lyubomir Godinyakov, Mario Slavchev, Vasiliy Mishkov, and Protodeacon Ivan Petkov. The church hymns were chanted by a choir under the direction of Dr. Andrey Kasabov.
The festive service was attended in prayerful reverence by Tsar Simeon II, His Royal Highness Simeon-Hassan, the Mayor of Samokov Angel Djorgov, sisters from the Pokrov Bogorodichen Monastery in Samokov, parish council members, donors, and dozens of Orthodox faithful.
In his homily, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the inspiring life of Saint Panteleimon, emphasizing his selflessness and deep love for the sick and suffering.
“From a young age—shortly after his conversion and baptism—he showed a natural compassion for people, devoting himself to alleviating their bodily pain and suffering. Having mastered the art of healing and been granted the gift of wonderworking, and motivated by his profound love for humanity, the people called him Panteleimon, meaning ‘all-merciful’ in Greek,” said the Patriarch.
He added that even today, many physicians follow the example of the Great Martyr by practicing medicine with faith and zeal.
“It is mercy,” he noted, “that brings us closer to God, and for this reason, we too must always strive to show mercy to those around us.”
Patriarch Daniel also spoke about the life and work of Saint Clement of Ohrid the Wonderworker and the Holy Seven Enlighteners of Bulgaria, whose missionary labors brought the Orthodox Christian faith to the Bulgarian people and led them to know Christ the Savior.
The feast day concluded with a festive blessing of the waters, during which the faithful had the opportunity to venerate the relics of Saint Panteleimon, brought from a nearby monastery in Samokov.
