Bulgarians paid their last homage to Patriarch Neophyte on Saturday, after the head of their national Church reposed into the Lord on Wednesday. In addition to many faithful who came to say goodbye at the “St Alexander Nevsky” Patriarchal Cathedral in Sofia, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, as well as the hierarchs of the Bulgarian Church and other sister Churches stood vigil beside the body of the Primate.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the members of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, led by Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliko Preslav.
The Liturgy was followed by the Funeral service, officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, who also delivered a short speech at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Sophia.
After the divine services, the body of Patriarch Neophyte was put on a cannon carriage and carried in procession to the Nedelya Metropolitan Cathedral in Sofia, where it was buried, the service being presided by Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliko Preslav.
From their childhood, Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria and his brother were deeply attached to the Romanian Orthodox Church in Sofia, declared on Saturday Father Kiril Sinev, the representative of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Bucharest.
Patriarch Neophyte “came from a poor family and the two brothers both died this year. His brother, Master Dimitrov, was the conductor of the Patriarchal Cathedral Choir for many years,” explained Father Kiril Sinev for Trinitas TV, the television channel of the Romanian Patriarchate.
“They both grew up in the Romanian Orthodox Church, took part in the church’s feasts and felt very much attached to the Romanian Church.”
The delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the funeral was made of Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bukovina, Patriarchal Auxilliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești and Hierodeacon Nicolae Iftimiu, Patriarchal Counsellor and Director of the Basilica News Agency.
Patriarch Daniel sent a message for the funeral of Patriarch Neophyte. Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bukovina read the message at the subsequent reception.
Among the participants at the funeral were representatives of national Orthodox Churches, former King Simeon II of Bulgaria – Prince Simeon of Saxe-Coburg, President Roumen Radev of Bulgaria, Premier Nikolai Denkov, National Assembly Chairwoman Iliana Yotova, the Mayor of Sofia, Vassil Terziev, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Bulgaria.
Throughout the prayers in the cathedral and the two days of National Mourning (March 15-16, 2024), Bulgarian faithful gathered at the Patriarch’s coffin to pay their last respects.
Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria passed away on Wednesday at 78, after 11 years of service as the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church currently has 13 members. It is presided by Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliko Preslav until a new Patriarch is elected.
See also:
- Romanian Patriarch sends condolences to the Bulgarian Church after the death of Patriarch Neophyte
- Photo gallery from the funeral of Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria
Foto credit: Basilica.ro / Ierod. Nicolae Iftimiu
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