Sofia, November 14, 2023
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church made a charitable donation to a hospital in the capital city of Sofia last week.
On behalf of the Synod, His Eminence Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech presented the donation of $10,000 (18,200 BGN) on Friday, November 10, to the children’s otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) department at Tsaritsa Yoann-ISUL Hospital, which is in need of emergency renovations, reports the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
The hospital is under the patronage of the martyrs Menas of Egypt, Victor of Damascus, and Vincent of Spain, all of whom are celebrated on November 11 on the New Calendar. In honor of the feast, Met. Gabriel served a moleben with the blessing of water for the mental and physical health of the doctors, medical staff, and patients.
Met. Gabriel was accompanied by the team of the Synodal Cultural and Educational Department, which had prepared age-appropriate gifts for the children being treated in the otolaryngology department.
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The donated funds were collected through the Synod’s charity campaign, Children Helping Children, in which artistic and musical students donate their talent and works for the collection of donations.
Met. Gabriel noted that the campaign teaches children charity and love for neighbors, and “emphasized that faith is trust and fidelity at the same time, and it is precisely in works of charity that this fusion of trust in God and our care for each other is revealed.”
Hospital Executive Director Lyubomir Penev explained to Met. Gabriel that the funds will be used to improve the conditions for residence and treatment in the department. He noted that parents accompany and caring for their children during treatment at the hospital will be able to continue to stay at the hospital free of charge, with the necessary personal space and good living conditions. A children’s play area will also be built.
Mr. Penev also noted the possibility of building an Orthodox chapel at the hospital.
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