On the eve of the Feast of All Bulgarian Saints, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria celebrated Festal Vespers at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Nedelya in Sofia.
Concelebrating were Fr. Petar Slavov, chairman of the parish council of the cathedral, members of the cathedral clergy, clergy from Sofia, and Deacon Yulian Petkov.
The hymns were chanted by the cathedral choir under the direction of Prof. Miroslav Popsavov, together with members of the clergy.
At the conclusion of Vespers, a prayer service for the family was offered. Addressing the faithful, Patriarch Daniel emphasized the importance of the Bulgarian saints as examples of faith and witnesses to the Gospel. He noted that many saints from the Bulgarian people had not only enlightened their own nation but had also contributed to the Christianization of other Slavic peoples.
“Christ’s light and holy life are well known to the Bulgarian people,” he said, adding that the land of Bulgaria had been sanctified by the lives of thousands of saints. He urged the faithful not only to honor their memory but also to imitate their faith and way of life.
Referring to a family march taking place in Sofia later that day, Patriarch Daniel said that previous generations, firmly rooted in the Orthodox faith, regarded the sanctity of marriage as self-evident. He warned against what he described as growing confusion and moral challenges in contemporary society, while encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith.
The Patriarch stressed that living a Christian life remains possible in the modern world and pointed to faith as a source of strength amid contemporary difficulties. He expressed concern about the weakening of faith and its impact on families, while calling on Christians to show love and compassion toward those who have strayed from the Church.
He also spoke about the struggles faced by many families whose children encounter destructive influences, including addiction and other harmful behaviors. Emphasizing the power of prayer, he encouraged parents to persevere in their spiritual efforts and trust in God’s help.
Patriarch Daniel concluded by calling on the faithful to remain steadfast in prayer and church life, to seek first the Kingdom of God, and to follow the example of the saints. “May God protect Bulgaria,” he said.
Following the evening service, and before the beginning of the “March for the Family” from St. Nedelya Square, organized by non-governmental organizations with the support of the Holy Metropolis of Sofia, Patriarch Daniel delivered an address and read the statement of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church regarding “Sofia Pride 2026.”
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
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