On Sunday, July 7th, hundreds of Sofia’s faithful, clergy, and devout Christians filled the Holy Metropolitan Cathedral of the Great Martyr Saint Kyriaki, on the occasion of the festal Divine Liturgy in honor of the saint bearing the same name, one of the most venerated across the Bulgarian land. On this day, the magnificent cathedral solemnly celebrated its annual patronal feast.
The festal Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Holiness Daniel, Metropolitan of Sofia and Patriarch of Bulgaria. Concelebrating with him were the following hierarchs: Bishop Gerasimos of Melnik, General Secretary of the Holy Synod; Bishop Ierotheos of Agathopolis; Bishop Isaac of Velventos, auxiliary bishop to the Metropolitan of Sofia; Bishop Kliment of Levki, auxiliary to the Metropolitan of the Bulgarian Diocese in the United States, Canada, and Australia; Bishop Ioannis of Branitza, Protosyncellus of the Metropolis of Sofia; and Bishop Vasileios of Dragovitia.
Also concelebrating were the Protopresbyters Nikolaos Georgiev, Nikolaos Tsouref, and Elias Alexiev; the priests Nikolaos Tchotchev, Kyrillos Popov, Daniel Sirakov, and Philippos Stoichev; as well as six deacons: Archdeacons Ioannis Petkov and Deyan Korunoski, and Deacons Iulianos Perikliev, Krasimir Krastev, Dimitrios Stefanov, and Vasileios Vasilev.
The congregation of the faithful, filling the holy church, participated with reverence in this deeply moving liturgical gathering, offering fervent prayers to Saint Kyriaki the Great Martyr. The sacred service was accompanied by the men’s choir of the cathedral, under the direction of Professor and Protopsaltis Mr. Miroslav Popsavov.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a multitude of Christians — young and old — approached and partook of the Holy and Immaculate Mysteries. Due to the great number of communicants, Holy Communion was distributed simultaneously from two Chalices.
Following the service, His Holiness Patriarch Daniel delivered an archpastoral address to the local faithful, recalling the life and martyrdom of Saint Kyriaki. He emphasized that many, upon witnessing her sufferings, and simultaneously her peace and God-illumined countenance, were drawn to the true faith, confessing the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
“For over 1,700 years, the entire Orthodox Church throughout the world has honored her memory. This is a lesson for us today. In our time as well, we observe a strong spirit of unbelief, a secular mindset which, through attachment to material pleasures, seeks to distract man from thoughts of salvation and God.
We are witnesses to the fact that many, without any external compulsion, adopt this spirit of denial simply because public opinion has turned hostile toward the faith. And yet, history preserves numerous examples, such as that of Saint Kyriaki and countless other martyrs, who did not waver or yield to threats, but willingly endured sufferings for the sake of Christ. They knew why they suffered and chose torment over apostasy.
May God, through the prayers of Saint Kyriaki, strengthen us in our times to bear witness to our faith through the purity of our hearts and souls. Let us not neglect this sacred duty, brothers and sisters! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). Let us strive to be steadfast in the faith, so that we may endure the trials that life sets before us. Every person, at some point, must make a choice: with Christ or without Him. May God empower us to always choose Christ, whatever the cost.”
The Patriarch then presented to the assembled faithful the newly consecrated Bishop Vasileios of Dragovitia, who had served for a full year as the head of the cathedral parish, noting the spiritual and administrative achievements of his ministry during that time.
“We wish you longevity, abundant spiritual fruit, and a grace-filled ministry, to the glory of God and for the salvation of your soul,” His Holiness said, offering heartfelt wishes to the new bishop, who will now continue his service as Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Troyan.
In response, Bishop Vasileios, with words of reverence and gratitude, thanked the Patriarch, the concelebrating hierarchs, and the clergy of the cathedral for the shared liturgical celebration and extended heartfelt wishes to all present.
