Bulgaria marked two major milestones in its spiritual and cultural history on Friday: 1,160 years since the Christian baptism of the Bulgarian people and 1,170 years since the creation of the Bulgarian alphabet and Slavic literature.
At a solemn liturgy held at the Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral in Varna, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Secretary General of the Holy Synod, delivered a patriarchal and synodal message.
“Our independent Orthodox Church, our alphabet and writing, our spirituality, literature, and rich culture have preserved us to this day as a people with a distinct identity and a proven, globally recognised contribution to the European and world spiritual and cultural heritage,” Bishop Gerasim said.
The ceremony also commemorated the feast day of Saint Prince Boris I Michael, the 9th-century Bulgarian ruler who adopted Christianity and is revered as Equal-to-the-Apostles by the Orthodox Church.
“With his name and colossal work, in both scale and significance, we associate the most important spiritual, cultural and civilizational choice made by our people throughout their thousand-year history,” the message read.
The liturgy was led by Patriarch Daniil, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s newly elected patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia, joined by members of the Holy Synod and local clergy.
The event drew a wide range of attendees, including university rectors, political leaders, and public figures, underscoring the importance of the anniversary. A series of celebrations hosted by the Varna and Veliki Preslav diocese, in cooperation with the academic community, are scheduled to continue in the coming days.
