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Bulgarian Orthodox Church Marks 1,700 Years Since Finding of Holy Cross
Patr. Daniel led a Sofia procession carrying a relic of the Holy Cross as the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked 1,700 years since its finding.
SOFIA, BULGARIA — Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel led a procession through Sofia on September 12 carrying a relic of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross, as the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked 1,700 years since the finding of the Cross.
The celebration began with Small Vespers at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of the Lord. Patr. Daniel was joined by Metr. Gabriel of Lovech, Bp. Ioan of Branitsa, Bp. Isaac of Velbazhd, Bp. Mihail of Konstantia, and Bp. Melety of Znepole, rector of the Sofia Theological Seminary.
A particle of the Cross was carried through the streets to the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, where dozens of Orthodox Christians from Sofia and other parts of Bulgaria participated. Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Yotova also joined the procession. It arrived at the cathedral shortly before 7 p.m., followed by an All-Night Vigil led by Bp. Gerasim of Melnik.
In his address, Patr. Daniel reflected on Christ’s Incarnation and the Cross, saying that Christ assumed human nature and endured human weakness. He described the struggle against sin as the strongest struggle facing humanity and said the Lord defeated the enemy of human salvation on the Cross.
“On the Cross, the Lord defeated the enemy of human salvation, and this fight is the most important that has been fought on earth,” the Patriarch said, adding that the Cross represents Christ’s victory over the original enemy of mankind.
Patr. Daniel thanked the clergy and faithful who participated in the procession and prayed that, just as the relic was carried through Sofia and the city was sanctified through the power of the Cross, God would enlighten the minds and hearts of its inhabitants and inspire the faithful with love for God and one another. A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated on September 13 at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral as part of the two-day celebration.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the wonderworking Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God arrived in Bulgaria.
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