Patr. Daniel Commemorates "Grandpa" Dobri on Eighth Anniversary of Repose

Photo: Wikipedia Commons, and Bulgarian Patriarchate/YouTube screenshot

BAILOVO, BULGARIA — His Holiness Patr. Daniel of Bulgaria led a memorial service on February 14 marking the eighth anniversary of the repose of Elder Dobri Dobrev, widely known as the “Saint of Bailovo.” The Patriarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Elder Dobri’s native village, honoring the ascetic life of the elder, who for decades collected donations to restore churches and monasteries, including the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky.

Speaking to those gathered, Patr. Daniel reflected on Elder Dobri’s devotion and humility, noting that his strength came from God, prayer, and steadfast faith. “This grace . . . helps us to take courage, to gain strength, and to tell ourselves that it makes sense for a man to live honestly,” the Patriarch said, emphasizing the elder’s example of purity, sacrifice, and dedication to God. A memorial service and trisagion were also served at Elder Dobri’s grave in front of the church.

Born in 1914, Dobri Dimitrov Dobrev endured personal hardships, including near-total hearing loss during World War II, before dedicating his later years entirely to spiritual life and philanthropy. Around 2000, he donated all his possessions to the Church and devoted himself to raising funds for restoration projects, earning national recognition and the affectionate title “The Saint of Bailovo.” Elder Dobri reposed on February 13, 2018, and was the subject of the 2015 documentary The Silent Angel.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a Michigan parish held a talk on the life and teaching of Elder Ephraim.

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