On Friday evening, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria attended a reception organized by the Romanian Embassy in Sofia to mark Romania’s National Day.
The event gathered over 400 attendees, including Bulgaria’s Ministers of Defense, Internal Affairs, Tourism, and Energy; Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs; members of Parliament; leaders of Bulgarian state institutions; and Father Neluțu Oprea, priest of the Romanian Orthodox Church “Holy Trinity” in Sofia.
Local government officials—prefects and mayors—alongside business leaders, representatives of civic organizations, and members of the Bulgarian media were also present.
Her Excellency Brândușa Ioana Predescu, Romania’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Bulgaria, highlighted the strategic partnership between Romania and Bulgaria, noting their pivotal roles in fostering democracy and security in the region.
She further mentioned a presidential decree published the same day, awarding distinctions to Bulgarian figures who have significantly contributed to bilateral relations.
Among the honorees, former Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (former King Simeon II) received Romania’s highest national honour, the National Order of the Star of Romania, in the rank of Grand Cross.
Ambassador Predescu noted that the former monarch was a key partner for Romania during its preparation for and subsequent accession to the European Union and NATO. The awards were announced during the event, with formal ceremonies for their presentation scheduled for a later date.
Photo: Representation of the Romanian Patriarchate in Sofia
