Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem presented Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil with the Cross of the Holy Sepulchre, the Jerusalem Patriarchate’s highest distinction, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said on Saturday.
Patriarch Daniil, who is also Metropolitan of Sofia, arrived in Israel on Friday for his first irenic visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The visit, made at the invitation of Patriarch Theophilos III and by decision of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, will continue until September 30.
After the Bulgarian church delegation visited Golgotha, the site where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ was crucified, a procession was held to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, where Patriarch Theophilos presented Daniil with the distinction.
In his address, Patriarch Theophilos said Daniil’s recent visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and his current visit to Jerusalem demonstrated his commitment to unity and peace among the local Orthodox churches.
Theophilos said the distinction was being presented in recognition of Daniil’s service and his reverence for the holy sites and the Holy Land, and as an expression of respect and fraternal relations with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
Patriarch Daniil thanked Theophilos for the distinction, saying he accepted it as an expression of fraternal relations not only towards himself but towards the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as a whole. He said it would serve as a reminder of the meeting and of the communion between the two churches.
The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem and representatives of the Roman Catholic, Coptic, Syriac Jacobite and Ethiopian communities attended the welcoming ceremony for Patriarch Daniil at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The Bulgarian Patriarchate noted that Bulgarian Patriarchs Kiril and Maxim made similar irenic visits to Jerusalem in the 1960s and 1970s, respectively.
During the remainder of the visit, Daniil and the Bulgarian church delegation are due to visit Christian holy sites associated with the life, Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Sunday, Patriarchs Theophilos and Daniil are due to concelebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Sepulchre.
Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos Presents Patriarch Daniil with Patriarchate’s Highest Distinction THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-26 12:37:53
Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Culture news Bulgaria, Bulgarian culture news, Bulgaria cultural news, latest culture news, breaking culture news, Bulgarian arts news, Bulgarian cultural events. Bulgarian artists, Bulgarian art, Bulgarian literature, Bulgarian books, Bulgarian writers, Bulgarian authors, Bulgarian music, Bulgarian musicians. Bulgarian cinema, Bulgarian films, Bulgarian theatre, Bulgarian actors, Bulgarian directors, Bulgarian festivals, cultural festivals Bulgaria. Bulgarian museums, Bulgarian galleries, Bulgarian heritage, Bulgarian traditions, Bulgarian folklore, Bulgarian history, Bulgarian archaeology. Sofia culture, Plovdiv culture, Varna culture, Burgas culture, Ruse culture, Bulgarian cultural heritage, Bulgaria UNESCO heritage. Bulgarian exhibitions, Bulgarian concerts, Bulgarian performances, Bulgarian cultural institutions, Bulgarian national culture, contemporary Bulgarian art, Bulgarian creative industries. Bulgaria cultural events, Bulgarian cultural news, Bulgarian entertainment news, Bulgaria arts and culture, Bulgarian cultural tourism, Bulgarian historical sites, Bulgarian landmarks.
BULGARIA NEWS – NEWS AGENCY 2009–2026 2026-09-26 12:37:53
