Patriarch Daniil welcomes Ecumenical Patriarch to Bulgaria, calls for stronger Orthodox unity

Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria welcomed His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on Sunday at St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, emphasising the importance of unity in the Orthodox faith and the spiritual legacy of St John of Rila.

The Ecumenical Patriarch visited Bulgaria to take part in celebrations marking 1,150 years since the birth of St John of Rila and 1,080 years since his repose.

After the Divine Liturgy on 18 October, Patriarch Daniil highlighted the anniversary’s significance for the Bulgarian people and thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch for his participation.

“Sharing joy always doubles it, making it even fuller and more perfect,” Patriarch Daniil said.

He explained that this was especially true of the Church’s joy, which springs from Christ, the Founder of the Christian faith, Who calls His disciples to rejoice (Matthew 28:9).

The Bulgarian Patriarch described this fullness of joy as a fruit of unity in the faith and of the spiritual bonds that have united the Orthodox Churches throughout the centuries.

St John of Rila’s legacy of Orthodox faith Reflecting on the spiritual inheritance left by St John of Rila, Patriarch Daniil emphasised…