On the eve of October 22, 2024, when the Holy Church celebrates the Feast of the Glorification of the Holy Relics of St. Euthymius, Patriarch of Tarnovo, an all-night vigil was held at the Bachkovo Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin. The service was presided over by Metropolitan Antony, with the prayerful presence of Metropolitan Ierotheos of Limnos, Bishop Sioniy, Abbot of the Bachkovo Monastery, and Bishop Isaac of Velbazhd. On the day of the feast, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel solemnly celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
Joining the Patriarch in the service were Metropolitans Ieronymos of Limnos, Nikolay of Plovdiv, Antony of Western and Central Europe, Yakov of Dorostol, Arseniy of Sliven, and others.
At the conclusion of his sermon, Patriarch Daniel offered his blessing to the faithful, saying:
“May we preserve the unity of the Church and our people, keeping the faith in our hearts pure and untainted by heresies and malice. We lost this unity, and as a result, God allowed our nation to suffer destruction. But during the Revival, we were brought together, and God’s blessing was restored to us. Let us now safeguard God’s gifts—faith and unity—so that we may continue to receive His blessing and have hope for good days ahead for our homeland and people. May St. Euthymius of Tarnovo protect us from the difficulties we often create for ourselves, guide us through trials, and keep our faith pure and unblemished, so that we may inherit the heavenly Kingdom to which the Lord calls us, with the saints interceding for us to share in His joy.”
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria / Text: Mikhail Taskov / Photos: Stamen Pepelishev
