{"id":470481,"date":"2024-03-18T16:01:52","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T14:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=470481"},"modified":"2024-03-18T16:01:52","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T14:01:52","slug":"faithful-and-hierarchs-from-bulgaria-and-other-orthodox-nations-paid-their-last-homage-to-patriarch-neophyte","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/faithful-and-hierarchs-from-bulgaria-and-other-orthodox-nations-paid-their-last-homage-to-patriarch-neophyte\/","title":{"rendered":"Faithful and hierarchs from Bulgaria and other Orthodox nations paid their last homage to Patriarch Neophyte"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Ecumenical Patriarch, hierarchs of the national Orthodox Churches, statesmen, diplomats and many faithful participated in the funeral of Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Raluca Ene<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I officiated the Funeral service and delivered a short speech in memory of Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria at “St Alexander Nevsky\u201d Cathedral in Sofia on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Raluca Ene<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After the Liturgy and the Funeral service officiated on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at “St Alexander Nevsky\u201d Cathedral in Sofia, Patriarch Neophyte’s body was carried in procession to the Nedelya Metropolitan Cathedral, where he was entombed. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Raluca Ene<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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<\/a>, the representative of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Bucharest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria was put on a canon carriage and carried in procession to the burial place during the national funeral\u00a0on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Raluca Ene<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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<\/a> Father Kiril Sinev for Trinitas TV, the television channel of the Romanian Patriarchate.<\/p>\n

“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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Hierarchs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and other Orthodox Sister Churches joined Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria in His Beatitude’s last earthly journey on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Raluca Ene<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the funeral was made of Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bukovina, Patriarchal Auxilliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploie\u0219ti and Hierodeacon Nicolae Iftimiu, Patriarchal Counsellor and Director of the Basilica News Agency.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria was buried at the Nedelya Metropolitan Cathedral in Sofia on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Raluca Ene<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Patriarch Daniel sent a message<\/a> for the funeral of Patriarch Neophyte. Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bukovina read the message at the subsequent reception.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bukovina delivered in Sofia the message sent by Patriarch Daniel for Patriarch Neophyte’s funeral on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Raluca Ene<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among the participants<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
March 15 and 16, 2024 were declared days of National Mourning in Bulgaria, and the faithful came in large numbers to the “St. Alexander Nevsky” Cathedral in Sofia to pay their last respects. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Raluca Ene<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria passed away on Wednesday at 78, after 11 years of service as the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

See also:<\/p>\n