Orlando, January 28, 2026
Photo: bta.bg
On Sunday, January 18, the Bulgarian Orthodox parish of St. George in Orlando, Florida, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new church building, marking a significant milestone for the community.
The event took place on Atanasovden (the feast day of St. Athanasius the Great) and included a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, blessing of water, and the ceremonial first shovel of earth to begin construction. The services were led by His Grace Bishop Clement of Levka, vicar to Metropolitan Joseph of the Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia, reports Saints Kyril & Metodi Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in New York.
Bp. Clement served alongside Fr. Atanas Megerov, the parish’s priest, and Fr. Dimitar Dimitrov from St. Petersburg, Florida. The celebration held particular significance as it coincided with Fr. Atanas’ name’s day, with parishioners offering prayers and well-wishes for their priest.
The Bulgarian Orthodox parish of St. George the Victorious in Orlando was founded in October 2009. Fr. Atanas was appointed rector on October 16, 2016. In November 2025, the parish announced it had received permission to build its own church, according to bta.bg.
The parish is one of four Bulgarian Orthodox churches in Florida within the diocese.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
