Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil was welcomed in Bethlehem with music and church chants, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said on Sunday. He arrived in Israel on Friday for his first irenic visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The visit, at the invitation of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and following a decision by the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate, will continue until September 30. The delegation includes Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliki Preslav, Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Secretary General of the Holy Synod, Protodeacon Dr Deyan Korunoski, Dr Aleksandar Smochevski, patriarchal adviser and interpreter, and others.
The Sunday procession began from the square in front of the Church of the Nativity, where a special prayer service was held in honour of Patriarch Daniil, the Patriarchate added. It said the service is traditionally performed only on Christmas Eve, but was held on Sunday in honour of the Bulgarian Patriarch’s irenic visit.
Patriarch Daniil was welcomed by Metropolitan Benedictos of Diocaesarea, the brotherhood of the Bethlehem basilica, clergy from the region and representatives of the local authorities.
Upon entering the church, Patriarch Daniil and the Bulgarian church delegation paid homage at the grotto where, according to Christian tradition, the Saviour was born. Symbolic gifts were also exchanged.
In his address, Patriarch Daniil said that in a world torn by conflicts, love is the Christian testimony that must be demonstrated.
As part of his programme, Patriarch Daniil also visited the Monastery of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, where he was welcomed by the abbot, Archimandrite Eudokimos, and the brotherhood of the ancient monastery.
The Bulgarian church delegation venerated the relics of Saint Sabbas and other ascetics. It also visited and prayed in the cave where Saint John of Damascus lived and carried out his spiritual work, as well as in the cave-church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, consecrated in the 5th century.
Speaking to the abbot and the monastery brotherhood, Patriarch Daniil said the opportunity to visit the holy monastery was a great blessing. He wished that God, through the prayers of Saint Sabbas, would help and protect the brethren and increase their number.
On Saturday, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem presented Patriarch Daniil with the ancient Patriarchate’s highest distinction, the Order of the Cross of the Holy Sepulchre.
Bulgarian Patriarch Welcomed in Bethlehem with Ceremonial Service 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-27 10:47:20
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