Elin Pelin, Sofia, October 14, 2020
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
Bulgaria’s first spiritual center for social rehabilitation and the integration of children was solemnly opened on Monday in the town of Elin Pelin in the central Sofia Province. The center is a joint project of the Metropolis of Sofia of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.
The opening of the center began with the blessing of Holy Water, celebrated by His Grace Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik, vicar of the Sofia Metropolis, reports the official site of the Bulgarian Church.
The event was attended by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, the Chairman of the State Agency for Child Protection, a number of other civil officials, doctors, donors, and many children.
Bp. Polycarp then addressed then addressed the numerous attendees, saying: “We pray today that there will be other cases of such centers opening. May this be a good, blessed beginning, so that the Church will fill the void in this area. Let both small and large—parents and grandparents—be elevated in their spiritual life, in the Church, in a virtuous life.”
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
“Because our society, our people need faith, their Orthodox Church; they need Christian morality in order to prosper and survive, and to bequeath joy, satisfaction, peace and most of all philanthropy and love to future generations,” His Grace added.
He wished all the employees of the center success in their work and presented the center with an icon of the Mother of God with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Neofit.
“As the Holy Mother of God took care and takes care of everyone, so you should draw strength from the Mother of God and show care for everyone who comes and seeks help and support in this spiritual center,” he exhorted.
“This is a place where the Church will not only talk about love and care, but will actually show how it happens,” emphasized Minister Denitsa Sacheva.
The new center offers all the most modern pedagogical activities and methods of rehabilitation, with the help of speech therapists, psychologists, kinesitherapists, art and occupational therapists, and sports specialists, combined with Orthodox doctrine, so the patients of the center will grow up with both healthy bodies and souls.
