The enthronement of the newly elected Bulgarian Patriarch, Metropolitan Daniil of Vidin, is over. The new spiritual leader was welcomed in St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The gathered laity chanted "Worthy" and applauded him. ''Conscious of my own unworthiness, I believe in God's providence and God's support. Let us keep the Orthodox faith'', Patriarch Daniil said.
''You, Lord, my Master, guide me in the tasks for which You have appointed me, give me wisdom and direct me in this great and responsible ministry. Strengthen me with a mighty spirit against the seductions of my thoughts, so that, being guided every day by Your good Spirit towards beneficial deeds, I may worthily fulfill Your commandments", Patriarch Daniil said in his prayer to God. "I accept the cross of the patriarchal ministry that is entrusted to me today. The Lord knows that I have not sought this position, and He will be my helper. In today's confused times, we all need a vivid and clear testimony of God's presence'', Patriarch Daniil said in his first official speech.
The new spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria received the insignia (symbols of patriarchal dignity) and the green patriarchal mantle. The patriarchal scepter, given to him by Metropolitan Joseph, is the same one given to Bulgarian Patriarch Cyril in 1953, when the Bulgarian Patriarchate was restored.
National Assembly Speaker Raya Nazaryan, President Rumen Radev, Vice President Iliana Iotova, caretaker Premier Dimitar Glavchev, Chief of Defense Emil Eftimov, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev, Grand Mufti Mustafa Hadji, former Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova, as well as other politicians and acting ministers attended the enthronement ceremony.
President Rumen Radev wished the newly elected patriarch to uphold the unity and autocephaly (independence) of the Bulgarian church and to strive for the welfare of the Bulgarian people. He emphasized that his election comes during challenging and turbulent times for all humanity.
Patriarch Daniil was elected with 69 votes. Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa received 66 votes. There were three invalid votes. The Patriarchal Electoral Church Council comprised 140 delegates including hierarchs, clergy, laity and others. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and representatives of the local Orthodox Churches of Russia, Georgia, Romania and Serbia attended the ceremony for electing the new head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Metropolitan of Sofia.
''The Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which is traditionally considered close to Moscow, elected a new patriarch today. 52-year-old Daniil took a position in favor of the Kremlin following the Russian invasion of Ukraine", reported AFP.
We Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria (PP/DB), which came second in the 27 October parliamentary election, sent the other political forces to be represented in parliament a “Declaration for ridding the institutions and the election process of..
The recordings from 65 cameras, which streamed the counting of the ballots on election night online, have gone missing, according to a report by the caretaker cabinet regarding the provision of the material and technical logistics for the elections...
Veselin Dimanov , director of the most watched documentary “Morality is goodness” is Enlightener of the Year, 2024. His film tells the story of lawyer and university lecturer, the late Christian Takov, whose words and personal example have..
The caretaker government will not apply to the Constitutional Court for an annulment of the 27 October election for parliament, said caretaker Prime..
The numerous reports of vote manipulation, of rigging ballots, of adding votes, of vote-buying, of coercion and controlled voting which have been..
On Friday morning visibility will be diminished in parts of the lowlands and valleys. Minimum temperatures 5-10° C., for Sofia 6° C. During the day..
Partly Cloudy
Clear