The Diocese of Varna received part of the Sacred Belt from the Monastery of Panagia Kato Xeniatranslated

On the occasion of the celebration of 140 years since the first Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Cathedral of Varna in 1886, the Diocese of Varna and Megali Preslava solemnly welcomed on Saturday, September 19, 2026, two parts of the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos kept in the Holy Monastery of Panagia Kato Xenia. The Holy relics were transferred to the Metropolitan Cathedral "Assumption of the Virgin" by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Varna and M. Preslava, Mr. Ioannis.  The two pieces of the Theotokos relic were bought by a delegation of the Holy Metropolis of Dimitrias and Almyros.

It is the first visit of the Holy Theotokos relic to the Metropolis and the third for the entire Orthodox Church of Bulgaria.

His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Vratsi, Mr. Grigorios, also attended the solemn events.

The solemn high-priestly Divine Liturgy was performed by the Most Reverend Metropolitans of Vratsa Mr. Grigorios and Mr. Ioannis of Varna.

The sermon of the Most Reverend Metropolitan Mr. Ioannis was dedicated to the Holy Cross of the Lord, which we celebrated a few days ago. His Holiness spoke about the symbolism of the Cross and the change in its meaning – in the beginning,…