On September 17 – the feast day of the Holy Martyrs Pisti (Faith), Elpida (Hope) and Agapi (Love), and their mother Sophia – Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the historic cathedral of Sofia, the Church of St. Sophia.
The service was attended by Metropolitan Joseph of the USA, Canada, and Australia, as well as the Most Reverend: Bishop Gerasim of Melnik – Secretary General of the Holy Synod, Bishop Ioan of Branitsa – first Episcopal Vicar of the Sofia Metropolitan, Bishop Isaac of Velbazhd – second Episcopal Vicar, and Stavroforos Oikonomos Kiril Didov – spiritual overseer of the Sofia Eparchy and president of the church council of the cathedral, along with the clergy of the capital, including Protodeacons Ivan Petkov and Deyan Korunoski, and Deacon Krastan Koichev.
Church singers, including Professor Ivan Zhelev and Grisen Chakary, chanted the hymns of Matins. At the same time, the Divine Liturgy was accompanied by the cathedral choir under the direction of Maria Ruseva.
At the conclusion of the service, Patriarch Daniel delivered a sermon dedicated to Divine Wisdom, emphasizing that the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia, through their lives and sufferings, set an example of the wisdom that Jesus Christ Himself has shown us.
The Patriarch explained that Divine Wisdom is manifested in the fact that God, full of all divine perfections, found a way to restore humanity to communion with Him. The Son of God descended to earth, became human, and endured all the weaknesses of human nature without sin, to bring humanity back into relationship with God. He suffered for us so that we might live, and this is the essence of Divine Wisdom – sacrificial love for mankind.
He urged the faithful to follow the example of Sophia and her daughters, teaching their children honesty, loyalty to friends, love for family and country, as well as charity and compassion. In doing so, children will grow into true humans, embodying the virtues of Christ, particularly faith, hope, and love.
Following this, the Patriarch blessed the exhibition “Prayer for Bulgaria” by Antonia Mirovalieva-Bozhanina, which features thirteen works inspired by the spiritual life and sacred icons of each Bulgarian eparchy, made from natural botanical materials such as leaves, flowers, and herbs. The collection, the result of eight years of work by the artist, is being exhibited in Bulgaria for the second time. Antonia Mirovalieva-Bozhanina has held four solo exhibitions in the USA, has received two international awards in South Korea for the works “White Angel” and “Prayer”, and was nominated for the work “Resurrection During the Storm”. The exhibition will remain on display in the cathedral for three months.
After the Divine Liturgy, a traditional prayer service was held for Sofia Day, attended by the President of the Republic, Rumen Radev, Vice President Iliana Yotova, the Mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, members of parliament, ambassadors, district mayors, municipal councilors, and residents of the city.
The Patriarch addressed those present, emphasizing that the name of Christ is glory and honor for all Christians, and that faith, hope, and love are at the heart of the Orthodox tradition and Christian way of life. He noted that the path to spiritual perfection begins with the inner struggle against passions and sins, and that Saints Sophia, Faith, Hope, and Love serve as a living example for all.
Finally, the ceremony of raising the flag of the city of Sofia was held.
