Bulgarian Orthodox Church Opts Against Sending Delegation for Holy Fire
Bulgaria will welcome the Holy Fire locally amid Middle East tensions.
SOFIA, BULGARIA — The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church announced it will not send a delegation to Jerusalem this year for the transfer of the Holy Fire, citing ongoing military conflict in the Middle East.
Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a Level 5 travel-risk warning—the highest level—advising against all travel to Israel and Palestine and urging citizens to leave the region immediately. In light of this, Church authorities deemed it unsafe to dispatch clergy for the annual ceremony.
Despite the absence of an official delegation, the Holy Fire will still be available to the faithful in Bulgaria. The flame will be preserved in the capital and can be received at the Synodal Chapel of St. Tsar Boris-Michael after 2:00 p.m. on Holy Saturday, April 11. The Holy Synod called on Orthodox Christians to pray fervently for the cessation of conflict and for peace in the Holy Land and worldwide.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Bulgaria allocated $17 million for the road to Zografou Monastery.
