His Beatitude Patriarch Neophitos of Bulgaria and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church sent a message for on May 10, 2023, which marks the 70th anniversary of the restoration of the Bulgarian Patriarchate (1953). The message expresses gratitude to the forefathers for “remaining firm in the Orthodox faith”.
The Holy Synod states that the historic decision of the Church Assembly to restore patriarchal status “corrected a historical injustice and fulfilled the dreams and hopes of generations of Bulgarian Orthodox Christians, who gave their strength and their lives for spiritual freedom and ecclesiastical independence”.
The message recalls the milestones in the history of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, with a focus on the proclamation of the Patriarchate of Tarnovo in 1235 – “a glorious Church that enjoyed high recognition and authority throughout the medieval Christian world”.
“Throughout this long and thorny historical path, the Orthodox Bulgarian family, regardless of all the trials and temptations it was subjected to, remained faithful to the most important thing: Throughout this time, our spiritual leaders, the priesthood and monastics, and all our worthy ancestors remained firm in the Orthodox faith, as they did not deviate either to the left or to the right from the royal path, but preserved and preserved the pure the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude. 1:3).”
“On this highly festive day, abiding in the light and in the fullness of joy arising from the news of Christ’s Resurrection, we thank God for the renewal of our Orthodox Church and with filial gratitude we bow our heads before the feat of countless known and unknown benefactors for its purity and holiness through the ages.”
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church, like the Bulgarian state, has had a tumultuos history, being forced to exist at the border of empires. A history of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church can be read here.
Message translated by Orthochristian.com
Photo credit: Bg-patriarshia.bg
