Bulgarian Patriarch leads Memorial Service for Patriarch Neophyte on 81st Birth Anniversary

On October 15, 2026, a memorial service was held in Sofia to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the birth of the late Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria.

The service took place at his tomb, located on the southern side of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Nedelya in the Bulgarian capital.

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria presided over the memorial service, assisted by clergy of the Metropolis of Sofia, including Stavrophore Oikonomos Kiril Didov and Oikonomos Vasil Tanev.

Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliki Preslav also attended, alongside Professor Ivaylo Naydenov, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Sofia University, faculty members, students, representatives of the Metropolis of Sofia, and numerous faithful.

Those gathered offered prayers for the repose of Patriarch Neophyte’s soul, honoring his spiritual legacy and his contribution to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The commemoration highlighted the late Patriarch’s humility, kindness, love, and dedicated service to the Church, qualities that continue to inspire the Orthodox faithful in Bulgaria.

Text and photos: Vesela Ignatova / Bulgarian Patriarchate