On the day when our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of St. Daniel the Stylite, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria celebrated his name day with a solemn hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the cathedral church of St. Kyriaki the Great Martyr (“Sv. Nedelya”).
The solemn service was presided over byPatriarch Daniel, who concelebrated with the Metropolitans Joseph of the USA, Canada, and Australia; Gregory of Veliko Tarnovo; Gabriel of Lovech; Nicholas of Plovdiv; Anthony of Western and Central Europe; John of Varna and Veliki Preslav; Seraphim of Nevrokop; Naum of Ruse; Cyprian of Stara Zagora; Gregory of Vratsa; Jacob of Dorostol; Arseny of Sliven; and the Bishops Gerasim of Melnik – Secretary-General of the Holy Synod, Eulogius of Adrianople – Abbot of Rila Monastery, Tikhon of Tiberiopolis – Patriarchal Vicar, Sioniy of Veliko Tarnovo – Abbot of the Troyan and Bachkovo Monasteries, Pahomius of Branitsa – First Vicar of the Metropolitan of Sofia, Isaac of Velbazhd – Second Vicar of the Metropolitan of Sofia; as well as Archimandrites John (Protosingel of the Sofia Diocese), Epiphanius (Protosingel of the Nevrokop Diocese), Anthimus (Protosingel of the Vidin Diocese), Basil (Dean of the St. Kyriaki Cathedral in Sofia), Clement from the USA, Canada, and Australia Diocese, Euthymius, Stephen (monk of the Troyan Monastery), Nicodemus, and Stavrophore Priest Dobri Kostov – Rector of the Plovdiv Seminary and Academy, Priest Slavi Spasov – Deputy Rector of the Sofia Seminary, the clergy of the cathedral, priests from Sofia, and other guests, as well as protodeacons Ivan Petkov and Dejan Korunoski, and hierodeacon Bartholomew.
Present in prayerful participation were Tsar Simeon II, His Royal Highness Prince Boris of Tarnovo, numerous clergy, monks, and nuns from across the country, as well as Orthodox Christians who came to honor the feast day of the Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Arseny of Sliven read a greeting on behalf of the Holy Synod. He said, “This is a blessed day in which we rejoice in your good health and steadfast strength to perform the holy work of God as a successor to the great mission of the Bulgarian Patriarchs. This celebration fills us with joy as we have the opportunity to embrace His Holiness, to congratulate him on this festive occasion, to express our high regard for him, and to acknowledge with a clear conscience his devoted service for the good of our Holy Church and our people. We are all called by the Lord Jesus Christ to work for our salvation and the mission of the Church according to His word, as servants of His Word. In all circumstances and spiritual conditions, we must humbly accept the Savior’s words and never lose hope, for it is through Him that we live, move, and exist (Acts 17:28). The height of the ministry to which a man may ascend is an expression of God’s love. Through divine providence, Your Holiness, you are called to serve Him in your exalted ministry, glorifying His name and building His holy Church as a co-worker in the apostolic mission: ‘Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy’ (Ephesians 5:25-26). Therefore, we must give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).”
A greeting was also delivered by Bishop Pahomius, Vicar of the Sofia Diocese. He remarked, “Your faith and great zeal for God are evident to all of us here. The Lord Himself placed you at the pinnacle of the Bulgarian Church, calling you to be her Patriarch. Just as the faithful sought healing and solace from St. Daniel’s pillar, so too do many souls rely on your guidance and spiritual support. We pray for your continued health, physical and spiritual strength, as you lead the Bulgarian people to the lush pastures of God’s fields. In the lives of the saints, we read that every ascetic had a humble supporter by their side, offering water and bread. I assure Your Holiness that the clergy of the Sofia Diocese stand at the foot of the pillar of your endeavor, ready to serve you with all that is within our human capacity.”
Archimandrite Basil, the Dean of the cathedral, also addressed Patriarch Daniel, wishing him strong health and spiritual joy in his demanding ministry. He presented the Patriarch with insignia of his office – an engolpion, a panagia, and a cross, symbolic of his patriarchal dignity. Archimandrite Basil prayed for the Theotokos to inspire and guide him, asking that God, through her intercession, grant him her wisdom.
A congratulatory address from President Rumen Radev was also read, expressing gratitude for Patriarch Daniel’s leadership and perseverance during challenging times for the Bulgarian people and the Church. “Your personal feast day is an occasion to wish you health, strength, and longevity in these difficult times for the Bulgarian people and our Church. I am confident that, in your person, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has a responsible spiritual leader and mentor for all of us,” stated the President.
Patriarch Daniel concluded the service with words of gratitude, reflecting on the significance of his name day, the spiritual journey of monastic life, and the inspiring example of St. Daniel the Stylite. He emphasized the saint’s extraordinary asceticism and faith, which serve as a profound example of devotion to God’s calling. He thanked all who participated in the celebration and invoked God’s blessings upon them.
Congratulatory messages were also received from Patriarch Kirill of Russia and Patriarch Daniel of Romania.
At the conclusion of the service, in honor of the 10th anniversary of their canonical elections, Metropolitans John of Varna and Veliki Preslav, Seraphim of Nevrokop, and Naum of Ruse were awarded high honors by the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
Following the service, Patriarch Daniel received greetings and well-wishes from Orthodox Christians and clergy. The Divine Liturgy was broadcast live on the Holy Synod’s official Facebook page.
A reception was held in the hall of the Sofia Diocese, where additional congratulations were extended by archdiocesan representatives, academics, clergy, and laity.
