Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria concluded his historic first irenic visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem on September 30, following six days of pilgrimage, meetings and joint worship, during which he repeatedly called for peace and an end to hostilities in the Middle East.
The visit, which began on September 25, took the Bulgarian Patriarch and his delegation to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Madaba and Amman. It was marked by prayers at some of Christianity’s most sacred sites, meetings with religious and political leaders, and expressions of solidarity with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and its faithful.
Throughout his visit, Patriarch Daniel received a warm welcome from the bishops, clergy and faithful of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, strengthening the longstanding fraternal relations between the two Orthodox Churches.
Patriarch Daniel: Peace is possible, and evil will not have the final word
During the solemn services, Patriarch Daniel offered prayers for peace, an end to military hostilities and stability in the Middle East. He also expressed his support for the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, acknowledging the difficulties facing the Church and its Christian communities.
In one of his addresses, delivered during the celebrations of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized the Christian message of hope and the triumph of the Resurrection.
“Here, in the very heart of Christianity, where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead, we lift up His life-giving and victorious Cross with unwavering faith that evil will not have the final word, that peace is possible, and that after the Crucifixion comes the Resurrection,” Patriarch Daniel declared.
He also recalled the words of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem: “I confess the Cross because I know the Resurrection.”
Pilgrimage to the holy sites of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jordan
During their pilgrimage, Patriarch Daniel and the Bulgarian delegation visited numerous sites associated with the life of Christ and the history of Christianity.
Among them were the Holy Sepulchre, the site of the discovery of the True Cross, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, the Church of the Nativity and the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
The delegation also venerated the miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary in Jerusalem and Bethlehem and visited the Monastery of Saint Sabbas, the cell of Saint John of Damascus, the spring of Saint John the Baptist and the Jordan River.
Their pilgrimage included the site of Christ’s Baptism and the place traditionally associated with the Prophet Elijah’s ascent into heaven in a fiery chariot.
King Abdullah II pledges continued protection of Christian holy sites
An important part of the visit was Patriarch Daniel’s meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan at Al Husseiniya Palace.
During their discussions, the Jordanian monarch reaffirmed his country’s commitment to protecting the Christian presence in the region and maintaining its role in safeguarding Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
King Abdullah II also invited Patriarch Daniel to participate in the celebrations planned for 2030 in Jordan to commemorate 2,000 years since the Baptism of Jesus Christ.
The commemorative events are expected to take place at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, traditionally identified as the site of Christ’s Baptism.
Strengthening relations between the Bulgarian and Jerusalem Patriarchates
The visit also provided an opportunity to reaffirm the bonds of unity between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The concelebration of the Divine Liturgy and the participation of the two Churches in the common Eucharistic Chalice were particularly significant moments of the pilgrimage.
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem described the visit as historic, highlighting its importance for the fraternal relationship between the two Patriarchates.
The Bulgarian delegation also expressed its appreciation for the Orthodox Christian communities of the Holy Land, whose members continue to preserve their faith and remain united around their spiritual shepherds despite the difficulties they face.
The delegation accompanying Patriarch Daniel included Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Archimandrite Theophil, Abbot of the Hadzhidimovo Monastery, Protodeacon Deyan Korunoski, and other ecclesiastical officials and advisers.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Bulgarian delegation expressed its gratitude to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Royal Hashemite Court of Jordan for their hospitality and assistance, as well as to Bulgaria’s diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Amman.
The historic pilgrimage concluded with a renewed appeal for peace and prayers for the Christian communities of the Holy Land.
Recalling the words of the Psalmist, the Bulgarian delegation expressed its hope that the Lord would protect His faithful, comfort those suffering and strengthen all Christians in prayer:
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” (Psalm 122:6).
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
