Patriarch of Bulgaria venerates Miraculous Icon of the Virgin Mary at Iviron Monastery

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria visited the Holy Monastery of Iviron on Mount Athos on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, as part of his first official pilgrimage to the monastic peninsula.

The Bulgarian Patriarch was welcomed with Byzantine hymns and the ringing of bells before venerating the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, known as the Panagia Portaitissa (Keeper of the Gate). Before the icon, he prayed for the Bulgarian people, asking for the protection and intercession of the Mother of God.

Patriarch Daniel and his accompanying clergy were received by the monastery’s abbot, Archimandrite Nathanael, who expressed his joy at the visit and presented the Patriarch with a copy of the miraculous icon.

In his address, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the spiritual ties between Iviron Monastery and Bulgaria, recalling that a copy of the Panagia Portaitissa has been preserved at Rozhen Monastery, in the Diocese of Nevrokop, since the 18th century.

He also spoke of his personal connection to the icon, having served at Rozhen Monastery between 2004 and 2011 as a hieromonk, archimandrite and later Bishop of Dragovitia.

“We have personally had the opportunity to experience and witness her…