Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed the recent agreement between Greece and Bulgaria on the return of historical remains and religious treasures, while calling for the restitution of additional ecclesiastical artifacts to their original monasteries.
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Speaking on Monday, October 19, 2026, following the Patriarchal concelebration with Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria at the historic Rila Monastery, the Ecumenical Patriarch described the agreement as a positive step toward resolving a longstanding issue between the two countries.
The Divine Liturgy marked the culmination of celebrations commemorating the 1,150th anniversary of the birth and the 1,080th anniversary of the repose of St. John of Rila, the spiritual patron of Bulgaria.
Call for the return of remaining ecclesiastical treasures
Referring to the recent bilateral agreement, Patriarch Bartholomew noted that the remains of Bulgarian Tsar Samuel had been returned from Greece to Bulgaria, while several religious artifacts previously removed from Patriarchal and Stavropegial monasteries in Macedonia and Thrace had been returned to Greece.
“The Mother Church could only welcome this development with great satisfaction, regarding it as merely a positive beginning toward resolving an outstanding issue that requires the return of the remaining sacred treasures to their monasteries,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that Patriarch Daniel and the Bulgarian Orthodox hierarchy would use their influence with the country’s authorities to facilitate the restitution of the remaining artifacts.
“We are confident that the fraternal love of Patriarch Daniel and his venerable hierarchy will exhaust every possibility of positively influencing the competent Bulgarian state authorities, so that this painful chapter may finally be closed in justice and concord,” he said.
The Ecumenical Patriarch also drew a parallel between the return of Tsar Samuel’s remains and the historical return of the relics of St. John of Rila from Hungary to Bulgaria in 1187, emphasizing the spiritual significance of such events for the Bulgarian people.
Patriarchal concelebration at Rila Monastery
Earlier in his address, Patriarch Bartholomew thanked Patriarch Daniel and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for their invitation to participate in the commemorations at Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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He emphasized the longstanding spiritual ties between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to concelebrate the Divine Liturgy.
The Ecumenical Patriarch also highlighted the central place of St. John of Rila in Bulgarian religious life, describing the saint as a model of Orthodox faith and Christian devotion.
He noted that the saint’s legacy continues to influence the spiritual identity of the Bulgarian people.
Patriarch Daniel marks Bartholomew’s ordination anniversary
In his welcoming address, Patriarch Daniel expressed gratitude for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s participation in the celebrations, emphasizing the importance of the occasion for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
He also noted that October 19 marked the 57th anniversary of Patriarch Bartholomew’s ordination to the priesthood.
“On October 19, 1969, in the church of the Holy Theological School of Halki, you were ordained a priest by your late spiritual father, Metropolitan Meliton of Chalcedon,” Patriarch Daniel recalled.
He described the opportunity to concelebrate with the Ecumenical Patriarch on this anniversary as a particular blessing and wished him continued health and strength in his ministry.
Patriarch Daniel added: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to His All-Holiness and to all our beloved brothers in Christ accompanying him here, expressing our gratitude for the love and fraternal affection shown to us both by him personally and by the Mother Church as a whole, the venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.”
Hierarchs accompanying Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitans of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church also participated in the Divine Liturgy.
Among those attending were former Bulgarian King and Prime Minister Simeon II, who recited the Nicene Creed, Greek Ambassador to Bulgaria Despina Koukoulopoulou, Greek MP and General Secretary of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy Maximos Charakopoulos, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, political representatives and numerous pilgrims.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
