Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria delivered messages of peace, unity and dialogue on Sunday, October 18, 2026, upon their arrival at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Sofia, where they attended a concelebrated Divine Liturgy.
The two Primates emphasized the need for peace throughout the world, as well as the importance of communication and cooperation in overcoming differences.
Speaking to journalists, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his joy at returning to Bulgaria at the invitation of Patriarch Daniel and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
“I am delighted to visit Bulgaria, your beautiful and hospitable country, once again,” he said, highlighting the fraternal ties he has developed with the Bulgarian Patriarch during their recent meetings in Turkey.
Patriarch Bartholomew placed particular emphasis on the need for peace, noting that their prayers at the cathedral would focus on both world peace and the unity of the Churches.
“Today, in the magnificent Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, we will pray for peace throughout the world. At this moment, the world is in urgent need of peace,” he stated.
Referring to the celebrations honoring St. John of Rila, the Ecumenical Patriarch also expressed his joy at the forthcoming visit to the saint’s historic monastery.
Tomorrow, we will have the opportunity to venerate the great saint of Bulgaria and of all Orthodoxy, St. John of Rila, at his monastery,” he said, thanking the Bulgarian people for their warm welcome.
For his part, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, also speaking to the media ahead of the Divine Liturgy, emphasized the significance of the joint celebrations and the message of unity conveyed by the Ecumenical Patriarch’s presence.
He described the commemorations honoring St. John of Rila as an important occasion not only for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church but also for the wider Orthodox world.
The Bulgarian Patriarch also stressed that the veneration of saints brings the faithful closer to God’s grace and offers an opportunity to strengthen their spiritual lives.
Referring to the divisions affecting the contemporary world, Patriarch Daniel emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation, even when differences exist.
“In today’s world, marked by divisions, this concelebration and joint commemoration of these anniversaries, despite certain differences, demonstrate that we must come together and learn to communicate with one another,” he said.
The Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church added that dialogue offers a way to address disagreements and resolve problems, rather than resorting to confrontation and further division.
Patriarchal Concelebration at Rila Monastery on Monday
The Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to Bulgaria marks the 1,150th anniversary of the birth and the 1,080th anniversary of the repose of St. John of Rila the Wonderworker.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in Sofia on Saturday, October 17, and was officially welcomed by Patriarch Daniel at the Synodal Palace of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, where a Doxology was celebrated, followed by an exchange of addresses.
Following Sunday’s Divine Liturgy, the Ecumenical Patriarch is scheduled to offer a Trisagion memorial prayer at the grave of the late Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria at the Church of St. Kyriaki.
The celebrations will culminate on Monday, October 19, with a festive Patriarchal concelebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of St. John of Rila, with both Primates participating.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is scheduled to return to Constantinople on Tuesday, October 20.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou