Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova visits Bachkovo Monastery

Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova visited Bachkovo Monastery on August 23 on the occasion of the closing of the 12th Iconographic Assembly, which was once again hosted by the historic monastery.

President Yotova was welcomed at the entrance by Bishop Sioniy of Veliki, Abbot of Bachkovo Monastery, members of the monastic brotherhood, Asenovgrad Mayor Dr Hristo Grudev, and supporters of the monastery.

Bishop Sioniy accompanied the President to the monastery’s main church, where he presented the miraculous Bachkovo Icon of the Mother of God and the relics of Saint Patriarch Euthymius of Tarnovo, explaining their significance for the monastery and the faithful. President Yotova was presented with a copy of the miraculous icon as a commemorative gift.

The visit coincided with the presence at the monastery of the Cambridge-based choir “Eikosi” (“Twenty”). The British singers performed two sacred hymns, in Church Slavonic and English, in honor of the President and the assembled guests.

President Yotova and Bishop Sioniy then proceeded in procession, accompanied by the monastic brotherhood and choir members, to the iconography exhibition. Addressing the participants, the Bishop…