Bulgarian Orthodox Church Commemorates 1945 “People’s Court” Executions

Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg

SOFIA, BULGARIA — On February 1, the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria commemorated the Day of Appreciation and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime, coinciding with the feast of St. Martyr Tryphon and the first preparatory Sunday of Great Lent — the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee.

With the blessing of His Holiness Patr. Daniel, Bp. John of Branitsa, First Vicar of the Metropolitan of Sofia, led an episcopal Liturgy and memorial service at the Metropolitan Cathedral St. Mary Nedelya. Clergy and four deacons participated, accompanied by hymns performed by the cathedral choir under Prof. Protopsalt Miroslav Popsavov. The service honored Orthodox Christians and compatriots who were persecuted, imprisoned, or killed by the atheist communist regime, including priests, intellectuals, and state officials.

In his sermon, Bp. John reflected on the Gospel parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, emphasizing humility and spiritual self-awareness, while also recalling the mass executions carried out by the “People’s Court” in 1945, which claimed thousands of lives, including more than 250 Orthodox priests. He called for sincere prayer, repentance, and a Christian life of mutual support.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a Bulgarian Bishop led a pro-life prayer service in the freezing cold in New York. 

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