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Orthodox Primates congratulated Patriarch of Bulgaria on enthronement anniversary

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia and Metropolitan Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia have extended congratulatory messages to Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria on the second anniversary of his election and enthronement, praising his pastoral leadership and praying for God’s continued blessings upon his ministry.

Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia described Patriarch Daniel as a beloved brother and concelebrant in Christ and recalled the Apostle Paul’s teaching that all Christians are one in Christ and members of His Body.

The Serbian Patriarch prayed that God would grant Patriarch Daniel many more years of service, accompanied by spiritual wisdom and physical strength, so that he may continue to shepherd the flock entrusted to him.

He also expressed the hope that through Patriarch Daniel’s archpastoral ministry, “the love of God and the unity of the Orthodox” would become even more manifest and glorified.

Patriarch Porfirije concluded by extending brotherly greetings from the throne of St. Sava and assuring Patriarch Daniel of his prayers.

Metropolitan Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia also offered prayerful congratulations on the second anniversary of Patriarch…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (15) 🌐 Show original

Надежда Морозова

In Samara we have an icon of St. Sava in the altar; they kiss it every day at the entrance to the church. I wonder how exactly this icon is kept in Serbia - in a church or in a monastery?

Десислава Николова

It is good that Patriarch Porfiry mentions the throne of St. Sava - apparently his icon in Samara is not accidental. Here in Ruse, we also have a small icon of St. Sava at home, the grandchildren kiss it when they pass by it. I wonder if in Serbia they keep it more in the churches or in the monasteries, as Nadezhda asks.

Teodora Florea

Here in Sibiu, at the cathedral, we have a small icon of St. Sava next to the proscomidie and we often kiss it at services. I am glad that Patriarch Porphyry mentioned the throne of St. Sava, it shows the living connection between us. In Serbian monasteries, do they keep it in a place of honor in the nave or more in the chapels?

Богдана Петрова

Yes, the icon of St. Sava in Samara is really not accidental - it is a sign of a living relationship. Here in Burgas, in the Church of the Holy Virgin, there is also an icon of him next to the altar, and people often light a candle in front of it. And what do you think, Desislav, why do your grandchildren kiss her so naturally - from the example at home or from something in the icon itself?

Галина Новикова

In one church in Krasnodar we also have an icon of St. Savva stands at the entrance to the altar, as in Samara. It’s nice that Patriarch Porfiry straight from the throne of St. Savva congratulated him - it’s clear that the connection is alive. And in Bulgaria, I wonder, how often are his icons kept in houses, like Desislava’s?

Светлана Волкова

In our church in New York there is also an icon of St. Savva at the entrance to the altar, as in Samara and Krasnodar. It’s nice that Patriarch Porfiry congratulated him directly from his throne - you immediately feel that these are not just words. And in Bulgaria, I wonder how often they keep icons like Desislava’s at home?

Георгий Киселёв

We also have an icon of St. in one church in Voronezh. Sava stands at the entrance to the altar, parishioners kiss her. In Serbia, as far as I know, the main icon and relics of St. Savva in the Studenica monastery, many pilgrims go there. And in which Samara church do you have it?

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ქეთევან მამულაშვილი

With us in Batumi, at every service, when the priest leaves the table, they still kiss the icon at the entrance. But the main icon in Studenica and St. There are parts of the grave apostle of Sava, more pilgrims go there. From the words of Porfiry it is clear that all these are not just words.

Camille Laurent

At home in Strasbourg, in our small church, we also have an icon of Saint Sava near the entrance to the sanctuary, the faithful greet it as they enter. It is beautiful that Patriarch Porfirije spoke directly from the throne of Saint Sava, it shows that it is not just words. I wonder if in Bulgaria they often put it in houses like Désислава's.

Ольга Попова

In Kazan we also have an icon of St. Savvas are often placed at the altar, especially in churches where Serbian ties are strong. But about Bulgaria - Desislava said that at home they have icons larger than the Mother of God and St. John of Rylsky, Savva less often. I wonder if your church in New York is Serbian or mixed?

Νίκη Λαμπροπούλου

In our Athens, in the church of Agios Nikolaos in Pagrati, we have a small icon of Agios Savvas next to the shrine and the women who enter first kiss it. I was glad that Patriarch Porphyrios mentioned the throne of Saint Savvas, it shows that the relationship is alive. Do you in Bulgaria often place his image in the church or more in the houses?

Václav Dvořák

Here in Olomouc, we have a small icon of St. Saviours at the side altar and people also kiss her at the entrance. Nice that Patriarch Porphyry wrote directly from the throne of St. Sávy, it immediately connects a person with what he is talking about. And how do you do it in the Czech Republic, do you rather keep it in the church or at home?

Mihaela Tudor

Yes, I also noticed this in our parish, the connection with St. Sava feels alive when you mention her like that. In the Serbian monasteries my husband and I visited two years ago, his icon was usually in the nave, next to the iconostasis, not hidden in the chapel. Teodora, have you ever been to any of them?

Νίκη Θεοδώρου

In our Heraklion, in the church of Agia Ekaterini, we have the icon of Agios Savvas high to the right of the iconostasis and it is worshiped mainly by the elderly who remember their travels in Serbia. I was glad you mentioned this about Pagrati, it shows that the memory of the Saint lives on everywhere. You in Athens, do you have a particular trope that you especially sing about him?

Nicolae Stoica

No, I have not yet reached the Serbian monasteries, but I would like to see what the icon of St. Sava looks like placed in the nave like this. In our parish, when the father mentions the throne of St. Sava, you really feel that living connection. Which monastery exactly did you and your husband go to?