The Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniil, was welcomed at the Georgian Iviron Monastery in Mount Athos on Wednesday with hymns and the ringing of bells. The monastery houses the Panagia Portaitissa, a miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God, the name Portaitissa meaning the Gatekeeper. Standing in front of the icon, Daniil prayed for the Bulgarian people, asking Mary to protect and guard them under her maternal mantle.
A replica of the miraculous icon is kept at the Rozhen Monastery in the southwestern Bulgarian diocese of Nevrokop, where from 2004 to 2011 the future Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil served as a hieromonk, archimandrite and later Bishop of Dragovitia, vicar to the Metropolitan of Nevrokop, said the Bulgarian Patriarchate.
The Patriarch is visiting Mount Athos for the first time, at the invitation of the brotherhood of the Bulgarian Zograf Monastery. He will preside over an all-night vigil and festive Divine Liturgy at the Bulgarian monastery marking the feast of the 26 Holy Zograf Martyrs.
The Patriarch and the clergy accompanying him were welcomed at the Iviron Monastery by its hegumen, Archimandrite Nathanael, who expressed his great spiritual joy at the visit of the Bulgarian Church leader. Nathanael presented the guest with a replica of the Panagia Portaitissa.
Daniil thanked the hegumen and the monastery brotherhood for the opportunity to venerate the great holy relics preserved at the place. He said the Iviron Monastery is well known in Bulgaria, and noted that the Panagia Portaitissa, which has been there since the 18th century, has helped thousands of believers. Daniil said he has personally had the opportunity to rejoice in and witness the icon’s help, delivered through its replica at Rozhen. “In a sense, we are therefore spiritual brothers,” he said.
The Bulgarian clergy also venerated various sacred objects at the Iviron Monastery, including icons and relics of saints preserved by the monks, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said.
Patriarch Daniil’s visit to Mount Athos will continue until October 24.
Bulgarian Patriarch Visits Iviron Monastery in Mount Athos THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-21 17:18:16
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