Official celebration of Saint John of Rila by the Bulgarian Community of Athenstranslated

On Sunday, October 25, 2026, in the chapel belonging to the parish of Saints Myroforos Gynaike and Nicodemus in Anakasa, in the municipality of Agioi Anargyro-Kamaterou, where the liturgical needs of the Bulgarian Community of Athens are served, a triarchate Divine Liturgy was held by Metropolitan Ruse Mr. Naoum, the accompanying assistant to the Bishop Glavinitsis Mr. Makarios and the familiar Metropolitan of Ilio, Acharna and Petropolis Mr. Athenagoras, on the occasion of the week of events for the celebration of 1180 years since the birth of Saint John of Rila.

Fr. Stefanos, vicar of the chapel, Fr. Konstantinos Bayraktarov, vicar of the Holy Parish Church of the Prophet Elias in Acharnes and the deacon Fr. Angelos Michalopoulos concelebrated with the bishops.

Before the end of the Divine Liturgy, the two Metropolitans addressed each other regarding the celebration of Saint John and exchanged gifts.

Afterwards, a celebration took place in the forecourt of the holy chapel, which included short speeches and activities by students about the life of Saint John, while later the spectators enjoyed traditional dances in Greek and Bulgarian costumes...