On the occasion of the 1,160th anniversary of the baptism of the Bulgarian people and the 1,170th anniversary of the creation of the Bulgarian alphabet and Slavic literature, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Secretary General of the Holy Synod, read a patriarchal and synodal message during a Synodal Divine Liturgy held at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Varna.
“Our independent Orthodox Church, our alphabet, our written tradition, our spirituality, literature, and rich culture have preserved us to this day as a people with our own identity before the world, with a proven and globally recognized contribution to the European and world spiritual and cultural heritage,” stated Bishop Gerasimos.
The message also noted: “On the second day of May, we commemorate St. Boris I Michael, Equal to the Apostles, Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria. With his name and his colossal work—both in scale and significance—we associate the most important spiritual, cultural, and civilizational choice our people have made in their thousand-year history, one marked by many hardships.”
Bishop Gerasim reminded that the Diocese of Varna and Veliki Preslav is hosting a series of celebratory events through which the Holy Orthodox Church, together with the academic community, honors these significant anniversaries.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, with the participation of members of the Holy Synod and clergy from Varna. Among the attendees were university rectors, politicians, and other notable figures.
