Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Invited to Visit Bulgaria in October
Bulgaria has officially invited Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to visit the country in October this year. The visit is planned for the period between October 16 and 20. The occasion for this important invitation is major anniversaries related to Bulgarian spiritual history and traditions.
The main reason for the visit is the celebrations marking the 1,150th anniversary of the birth and the 1,080th anniversary of the dormition of Saint Ivan of Rila. He is the most revered Bulgarian saint and is considered the heavenly patron of the entire Bulgarian people. These events are of immense significance for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and for the believers in the country.
The invitation to His All-Holiness is a sign of the desire for closer cooperation between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. During his stay, Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to participate in festive liturgies and official meetings with state representatives. This will be an important moment for religious and public life in Bulgaria.
Visits by the Ecumenical Patriarch always generate great interest, as they are considered events of a high spiritual and diplomatic level. Bulgarian society and church authorities are already beginning preparations for these important celebrations, which will take place in mid-autumn.