On the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to St. Mary of Egypt, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. George the Great-Martyr in Breznik.
Concelebrating with the Patriarch were Archimandrite Ioan, Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Sofia; Hieromonk Joseph, acting abbot of Zablyan Monastery; Hieromonk Spyridon; Archpriest Stilian Tabakov, Dean of the Trăn Region; Archpriest Konstantin Stoychev; parish priest Fr. Mihail Stankovich, and Hierodeacon Bartholomew.
In his homily, Patriarch Daniel spoke on the meaning of human life as reflected in the lives of the saints, saying:
“The saints show us what we are called to become. Their lives demonstrate that through repentance and communion with God, human life gains its full meaning—not here on earth in material success, but in eternal life with Christ.”
Reflecting on the example of St. Mary of Egypt, he said: “She lived in sin, yet turned entirely to God through repentance and ascetic struggle. Even if we cannot match her path, we are called to begin the journey—by breaking sinful habits and renewing our hearts in faith and humility.”
He continued: “Many people today ignore or even reject the Resurrection of Christ. But the Church, from the apostles to today, confesses Christ as the crucified and risen Savior, and the lives of saints throughout the centuries affirm the truth of this faith.”
Patriarch Daniel also warned against the temptations of modern life: “Today’s culture glorifies indulgence, selfishness, and forgetfulness of God. But true joy, true meaning, and true transformation come only through repentance, through struggle against our passions, and through a living relationship with Christ.”
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Fr. Mihail Stankovich thanked the Patriarch for his blessing and presence, offering a small token of love on behalf of the parish. The Mayor of Breznik, Mr. Vasil Uzunov, presented the Patriarch with a commemorative plaque from the municipality.
Following the service, the Patriarch visited the historic Church of St. Petka, a recognized architectural and artistic cultural monument.
Text: Mihail Taskov / Photos: Dobrin Kashavelov
