Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria visited several important Holy Land shrines on Saturday, September 26, 2026, as part of his first irenic visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
During his visits to Gethsemane and Bethlehem, the Patriarch delivered a message of unity and love, emphasizing the need to preserve the Church’s unity in a world troubled by conflict and division.
The Patriarch of Bulgaria and his delegation were accompanied by representatives of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, namely Patriarchal Vicar Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias and Elder Chamberlain Archimandrite Nektarios.
Patriarch Daniel began his pilgrimage on the Mount of Olives, visiting the site of the Lord’s Ascension and the Holy Monastery of the Ascension. He subsequently visited the Monastery of St Mary Magdalene of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), where he was welcomed by its representative in the Holy Land, Archimandrite Roman. According to the Bulgarian Church’s report, the monastery’s sisterhood also welcomed the Patriarch and his delegation.
In Gethsemane: “Faith and love in Christ are stronger than any division”
The Patriarch of Bulgaria then visited the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Gethsemane, where the Tomb of the Virgin Mary is located.
An official pilgrim reception was held in accordance with the established pilgrimage protocol. The Patriarch was welcomed by the shrine’s abbot, Metropolitan Joachim of Helenopolis.
A prayer service was celebrated in the church, during which Patriarch Daniel reflected on the Virgin Mary and the importance of Church unity.
“Just as the Most Holy Theotokos faced many difficulties in her life but overcame them all through the grace and help of her Son, may she also help us today to bear witness to the unity of the Church,” he said.
The Patriarch recalled that, despite the ordeal they experienced folowing Christ’s Crucifixion, the Apostles were reunited by the Lord and, through the love that bound them together, proclaimed His saving work.
“May the Mother of God help us preserve this unity of the Church and proclaim that faith and love in Christ are stronger than any division,” he emphasized.
He also thanked Metropolitan Joachim of Helenopolis and the clergy serving at the shrine, noting that their ministry enables thousands of Christians from around the world to visit the holy site and receive spiritual strength.
Following the service, the Patriarch venerated the Tomb of the Virgin Mary and the miraculous icon of the Theotokos of Jerusalem, which is kept in the church.
During a brief meeting afterward, Metropolitan Joachim presented Patriarch Daniel with an icon of the Theotokos, expressing the wish that she would protect and guide him in his archpastoral ministry.
In return, the Patriarch of Bulgaria presented Metropolitan Joachim with an episcopal pectoral icon depicting St John of Rila, the patron saint of Bulgaria, praying that the saint would intercede for him and strengthen him in his ministry.
Festive reception in Bethlehem: A message of love in a world marked by conflict
The Patriarch of Bulgaria and his delegation subsequently passed through the checkpoint near Rachel’s Tomb and proceeded to Bethlehem, where they received a particularly festive welcome.
The reception featured music and ecclesiastical hymns, with a procession beginning in the square outside the Basilica of the Nativity.
Patriarch Daniel was welcomed by Patriarchal Vicar Metropolitan Benedict of Diocaesarea, the Brotherhood of the Basilica of the Nativity, clergy from Bethlehem, Shepherds’ Village and Beit Jala, as well as representatives of the local authorities.
A special service was celebrated in his honor. Traditionally performed only on Christmas Eve, it was held exceptionally on this occasion to mark the Patriarch of Bulgaria’s first irenic visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Upon their formal entrance into the Basilica, the Patriarch and the members of the ecclesiastical delegation venerated the Holy Grotto of the Nativity, the site of the birth of Jesus Christ. A Doxology and a prayer service were also celebrated, followed by an exchange of symbolic gifts.
In his address, Patriarch Daniel referred to the conflicts affecting the contemporary world, emphasizing that Christians are called to bear witness to their faith through love.
His message carried particular significance at the birthplace of Christ, where the words were first proclaimed: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
The Patriarch stressed that, in a world torn apart by conflicts, Christians are called to demonstrate love through their actions.
Following the visit to the Basilica of the Nativity, a luncheon was held in honor of the Patriarch of Bulgaria at the Angelo Hotel, hosted by Greek Orthodox Christian Athanasios Abu-Aita.
Visit to the Holy Lavra of St Sabbas the Sanctified
Continuing his pilgrimage, Patriarch Daniel visited the historic Holy Lavra of St Sabbas the Sanctified, where he was welcomed by Archimandrite Evdokimos and the monastic brotherhood.
The Patriarch and the members of the ecclesiastical delegation venerated the holy relics of St Sabbas and other ascetics.
They also visited the cave where St John of Damascus lived and practiced asceticism, as well as the cave church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, which, according to the Bulgarian Church’s report, was consecrated as early as the fifth century.
Addressing Archimandrite Evdokimos and the monks, Patriarch Daniel described the opportunity to visit the historic monastery as a great blessing.
He prayed that God, through the intercessions of St Sabbas, would protect and strengthen the monks in their spiritual ministry and increase the monastery’s brotherhood.
At the conclusion of his pilgrimage, the Patriarch of Bulgaria returned to his hotel to rest ahead of his participation in the celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Sunday, September 27, according to the Old Calendar followed by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Photos from the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Gethsemane
Photos from the official reception in Bethlehem
Prayer at the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem
Photos from the Holy Lavra of St Sabbas the Sanctified
