Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 9, at the historic Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the village of Zheleznitsa, in Sofia’s Pancharevo district.
The service, celebrated on the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, was preceded by the blessing of the renovated church, which dates back to 1870. Patriarch Daniel concelebrated with clergy of the Diocese of Sofia, while numerous faithful from Zheleznitsa and the surrounding area attended the service.
In his homily, the Patriarch reflected on the recent feast of the Transfiguration of Christ and the Gospel account of the healing of the demon-possessed boy, emphasizing that spiritual transformation is a gradual process made possible through divine grace.
“The sanctification of our souls and bodies takes place precisely through the action of God’s grace,” Patriarch Daniel said, noting that healing from sin is neither “formal nor mechanical,” but requires an ongoing spiritual struggle against passions, selfishness, hatred, anger and other sins.
He stressed the importance of repentance, fasting, prayer, confession and participation in the Holy Eucharist, explaining that through these practices Christians gradually experience the fruits of divine grace in their lives.
“Love for others, patience, respect and the desire to do good to people—all these are produced by God’s grace, and in this way its presence is revealed within us,” the Patriarch said.
Patriarch Daniel also noted that approximately 53,000 people had venerated the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God during its recent visit to the Bulgarian capital.
Concluding his visit, he congratulated the parish priest, church council, village mayor and benefactors for their contribution to the restoration and maintenance of the historic church.
“Giving and selfless service to a sacred place are powerful means for the purification of our souls and bodies and for acquiring the grace of God,” Patriarch Daniel said.
Text: Plamen Mihaylov, Photos: Kaloyan Petrov
