Stara Zagora, Stara Zagora Province, Bulgaria, October 9, 2026
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
Hierarchs from six Local Orthodox Churches concelebrated the festive Divine Liturgy in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, on October 7. The service, led by His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, closed a four-day program marking six Church anniversaries in the city.
It was Patriarch Daniil’s first visit to the Stara Zagora Diocese since he was elected primate of the Bulgarian Church. The anniversaries were 155 years since the diocese was founded, 130 years since the election of its first Metropolitan, Methody of Stara Zagora, 100 years since the birth of Metropolitan Pancraty of Stara Zagora, 50 years since the birth of the current hierarch, Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora, 30 years since his monastic tonsure, and 10 years since his enthronement, reports the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
After the Liturgy, the Patriarch presented Metropolitan Cyprian with the Order of St. John of Rila, First Class, in connection with the anniversary celebrations and his service to the Church.
In his address, Patriarch Daniil pointed to the recent days as full of historical events, with the arrival of the relics of the holy Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria as their culmination. He said the celebrations of St. John of Rila would follow soon. Stara Zagora, he said, had shown through its services, scholarly forum, and veneration of St. Clement of Ohrid that it’s “a city of memory” that honors its spiritual leaders. He wished Metropolitan Cyprian many blessed years on the ancient See of Stara Zagora, which he said had been adorned by worthy predecessors and was now entrusted to him.
Pat. Daniil presenting a gift to Met. Cyprian. Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
Metropolitan Cyprian spoke about the example of his predecessors, focusing on the life of Metropolitan Methody and on his own spiritual elder, the late Metropolitan Pancraty. He recalled that Metropolitan Pancraty was known as a tireless bishop and, to those close to him, a man of constant prayer.
Metropolitan Cyprian thanked his flock, the hierarchs who served with him, and Patriarch Daniil for his fatherly care. He called on everyone to continue working together for the spiritual building up of the Church.
Besides Patriarch Daniil and Metropolitan Cyprian, 16 other Bulgarian hierarchs concelebrated.
Guests from other Local Churches also served. Metropolitan Hilarion of Bregalnica represented the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishopric; Metropolitan Siluan of Hungary represented the Romanian Church; Bishop Porfirios of Neapolis represented the Church of Cyprus; Bishop Pavel of Hajnówka represented the Polish Orthodox Church; and Archimandrites Kiril and Gavriil attended as representatives of the Metropolis of Didymoteicho of the Church of Greece.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
