Patriarchs of Jerusalem and Bulgaria concelebrated Divine Liturgy at Church of the Holy Sepulchre (PHOTOS+VIDEOS)

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria expressed deep concern over the declining Christian presence in the Middle East, assuring Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church stands alongside the Patriarchate of Jerusalem during these difficult times.

The two Patriarchs concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on September 27, 2026, marking the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross according to the Julian calendar. The celebration was the culmination of the spiritual events surrounding Patriarch Daniel’s first irenic visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a solemn procession took place with a reliquary Cross containing fragments of the True Cross. Patriarch Theophilos carried the Cross above his head as the procession made its way to the site where Saint Helena discovered the True Cross.

The procession continued around the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre, with Patriarch Daniel, Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik and hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem taking turns carrying the Cross. It concluded at the Chapel of Golgotha.

Patriarch Theophilos: The…