Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria expressed his deep condolences on the tragic plane crash at Graf Ignatyevo Air Base, honoring the memory of pilots Major Petko Dimitrov and Senior Lieutenant Ventsislav Dunkin.
In his message, he referenced St. Ephraim the Syrian: “Do not weep hopelessly for the dead, but pray for them. Prayer for the repose of souls is the highest gift we can give them.”
He prayed for peace and strength for the families, quoting Psalm: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
He concluded his address with a tribute to the fallen soldiers, saying, “Eternal and blessed be the memory of the fallen Bulgarian soldiers!”
Read here the message of condolences by the Patriarch of Bulgaria:
We express our sincere condolences to the families, relatives, and colleagues of the two worthy Bulgarian warriors—pilots Major Petko Dimitrov and Senior Lieutenant Ventsislav Dunkin—who died in the tragic plane crash at Graf Ignatievo Air Base.
In these moments of deep sorrow and indescribable pain, we recall the words of St. Ephraim the Syrian: “Do not weep hopelessly for the dead, but pray for them. Prayer for the repose of souls is the highest gift we can give them. Let us remember that God is full of mercy and will receive into His kingdom those who seek Him in sincere faith.”
May this faith strengthen us in our grief and pain, and may the Lord grant the families of the dead peace, comfort, and strength in these difficult moments, for “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 33:18).
Eternal and blessed be the memory of the fallen Bulgarian soldiers!Bulgarian Patriarch † Daniel
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
