Patriarch of Bulgaria honors Metropolitan Cyprian during visit to Stara Zagora

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria awarded Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora the Order of St. John of Rila, First Class, during celebrations marking several important anniversaries in the life of the Diocese of Stara Zagora.

The Patriarch made his first visit to the diocese since his election as Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and presided over the festive Divine Liturgy that concluded four days of celebrations.

The commemorations marked, among other anniversaries, 155 years since the establishment of the Diocese of Stara Zagora, 130 years since the election of its first Metropolitan, Methodius, and ten years since Metropolitan Cyprian’s enthronement.

In his address, Patriarch Daniel praised Metropolitan Cyprian’s decade of episcopal ministry and wished him “many more blessed years in the service of God and His Holy Church.” He also described Stara Zagora as “a city of memory and reverence for its spiritual leaders,” saying that this heritage points toward “an even more promising future.”

On behalf of the Holy Synod, Patriarch Daniel also presented Metropolitan Cyprian with a panagia as a prayerful remembrance of the occasion. Metropolitan Cyprian, in turn, presented…