Bulgarian Orthodox Christians Mark Christmas Shrove

Bulgarian Orthodox Christians have one more day before they enter on Friday a 40-day fast that will end on December 24, Christmas Eve.

BULGARIA: Orthodox church celebrates Michaelmas to defeat evil

Sofia. The Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of Michaelmas or St. Michael on November 8. In Christianity, the Archangel Michael is the greatest of all the Archangels and is honoured for defeating Lucifer in the war in heaven.

Bulgaria Orthodox Church marks Archangel All Souls’ Day

Bulgaria's Christian Orthodox Church honors Saturday the All Souls' Day before the Day of St. Archangel Michael, or the so-called Archangel All Souls' Day. All Souls' Day is also known as the Feast of All Souls, Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed.

Bulgarian Orthodox Church Elects New Metropolitan Bishop

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church elected a new metropolitan bishop for Western and Central Europe Sunday.

Dobre Dobrev a.k.a Elder Dobry - Bulgari graffiti (PHOTOS)

“Grandpa Dobry” is the latest work of the Bulgarian graffiti legend NASIMO and it was created for SOULS IN WALLS – a project that is part of Urban Creatures – urban art festival in Sofia, Bulgaria. The work is dedicated to the Dobre Dobrev a.k.a Elder Dobry a living saint in Bulgaria. Elder Dobry has been raising money for decades to restore churches throughout Bulgaria.

Below you can see the progress of the mural. The height of the wall is 25 meters and it was finished on 28th of June – the birthday of Nasimo.

The Elder Dobry Dobrev of Baylovo Bulgaria - VIDEO (English)

BULGARIA: Orthodox Christians Hail St. Demetrius

A famous St. Demetrius icon from the Vatopediou Monastery in Mount Athos. - See more at: http://www.novinite.com/articles/154942/Orthodox+Christians+Hail+St.+Demetrius#sthash.g6WGNSnw.dpuf

 A famous St. Demetrius icon from the Vatopediou Monastery in Mount Athos.

Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria, Greece and other churches observing the Gergorian calendar are celebrating Saturday the holiday of St. Demetrius.
Known as Dimitrovden in Bulgaria - meaning the Day of St. Dimitar - the feast is an important church and traditional holiday.

Bulgarian Orthodox Christians Celebrate Petkovden - Saint Parascheva of the Balkans

Over a million persons come every year, from abroad, 
to worship Saint Parascheva’s Relics

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates Petkovden on Monday, October 14, a day that marks the beginning of the winter in the country.

Burglars Take Items From Burned East Oak Lane Church

PHILADELPHIA -Late last month, a massive blaze destroyed the St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in East Oak Lane. No one was injured, but the 91 year old structure was left in ruins. Now, as if to add insult to injury, burglars have struck what remains of the iconic church, leaving its members shocked and angry.

Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks Elevation of the Holy Cross

 Sofia. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Elevation of the Holy Cross. All eparchies will hold a service. In the metropolitan’s cathedral of Sofia, Saint Sofia, the service will be held by bishop Yoan of Znepole, vicar of Sofia metropolitan bishop.

Bulgarian Iron Church in Istanbul Marks 115th Anniversary

 

The Bulgarian "Saint Stephen" Church, also known as the Bulgarian Iron Church, is a Bulgarian Orthodox church in Istanbul, Turkey, famous for being made of cast iron. - See more at: http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=153459#sthash.uNwFZ9Jp.dpuf

The famous Bulgarian Church "St. Stefan" in Istanbul, known as the "Mother Church" and the "Iron Church" celebrates Sunday 115 years of its dedication.
The anniversary coincides with the celebration of the Nativity of Mary.
The "Bulgarian Orthodox Church" St. Stefan "in Istanbul" Foundation informs the anniversary will be marked with a Holy Liturgy for the Nativity of Mary in the church "St. Ivan Rilski" of the Bulgarian Exarchate in Istanbul.
With the blessing of His Holiness, the Bulgarian Patriarch Neofit, and of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the liturgy will be led by Deacon Angel Velkov.

BULGARIA: : 3 days of prayer for end to suicides

 

Following at least seven suicides in protest against poverty and corruption, President Rosen Plevneliev of Bulgaria has declared three days of prayer "for an end to the suicides and for passing through the crisis with patience and dignity." "Bulgarians must not fall victim of hopelessness," said Patriarch Neophyte, who became head of the Bulgarian ... 

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Hindus urge new Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarch to promote interfaith dialogue

Congratulating the recently elected for life Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarch Metropolitan Neofit, Hindus hope that he would promote interfaith dialogue in the world.

Full story - Read More >>>>

BULGARIA: St Valentine in play as Bulgarian Orthodox Church nears election of new Patriarch

One could be forgiven for mistaking a Bulgarian Orthodox Church metropolitan’s public attack on celebrating Saint Valentine’s Day for an election speech as the church nears the election of a new Patriarch.

 

On February 15 and 16 2013, the church’s governing body, the Holy Synod, will name three of its number as the shortlist of election candidates. On February 24, an electoral college made up mainly of clergy with minority representation for laity will choose the new Patriarch by secret ballot at a meeting in Sofia.

With two weeks to go before the election, it remains unclear whether the rival factions in the upper ranks of the church have achieved a deal on the shortlist, let alone who should succeed the late Patriarch Maxim.

Galaktion, metropolitan of Stara Zagora, made headlines on Bulgarian television and in newspapers by railing against St Valentine as a Roman Catholic intruder on Bulgarian Orthodox territory.

On February 14, Bulgaria traditionally celebrates Trifon Zarezan, a vine-pruner of legend, on a day dedicated to the drinking of red wine. The church customarily joins in the celebration, irrespective of the fact of Trifon Zarezan’s pagan origins.

But for Galaktion, “Saint Trifon” being superseded – especially among the young – by St Valentine was a matter for indignation.

“Can you set aside a day for love? You have to love every day. Christians should love each other at all time, not just on Valentine’s Day, which is hardly a Christian holiday,” Galaktion said at a church service at the St Trifon Chapel in Harmanli, before going on to a vine-pruning ceremony.

Meanwhile, Varna Metropolitan Kiril, currently acting chairman of the Holy Synod – in effect, the acting Patriarch – confirmed his availability to be Patriarch.

Kiril is among the majority in the Holy Synod who were formerly agents for the communist-era secret service State Security and has made headlines for his alleged taste for an opulent lifestyle, famously including the Lincoln hybrid he uses as his vehicle.

Kiril was responding to the public confirmation a day earlier by Lovetch Metropolitan Gavril that he was available for election.

Gavril is one of three members of the Holy Synod who did not work for State Security. The other two are not eligible for election as Patriarch, Plovdiv Metropolitan Nikolai because he is younger than 50, and Dorostol Metropolitan Amvrosii because he has been in charge of a diocese for less than the required five years.

Kiril, speaking on February 9, said that it was God who would choose the Patriarch, through the electoral college.

Gavril, speaking on February 8, said that he would not refuse becoming Patriarch, “if it happens at the behest of God”.

He told journalists that the new Patriarch should be young so as to be able to cope with the difficult tasks. At 62, Gavril is young by the standards of the senior clergy of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Gavril was speaking at a ceremony at which he was named an honorary member of the Chamber of Engineers. Before his church career, he completed a university course in road construction.

The event, also somehow reminiscent of a campaign trail stop, could have done the Lovetch Metropolitan no harm. He is especially popular among followers of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church who would prefer it to be headed by someone other than a former State Security agent, and he has the added attraction of no tie to the controversy about the awarding of the “Archon” title to wealthy business people whose reputations are the subject of public discussion.

As to public input, as at February 10, with five days to the shortlisting process, there is no reliable public opinion poll about whom the laity wish to head the church.

But a Facebook page set up for the purpose has Gavril clearly in the lead, with 2152 votes, leaving Metropolitan Yoaniki of Sliven trailing with a distant 723 votes and Neofit of Rousse with 646.

Kiril has only 103 votes but is doing better than Galaktion – the one who does not like St Valentine – who is second-bottom with 37 votes.

But then, it is hardly a scientific poll, and nor does it take into account the affirmation by church leaders that the ultimate decision will be made by God.

BULGARIA: Rila Monastery (UNESCO) - VIDEO

Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex which played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. Destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 19th century, the complex was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862....

Elder Dobry from Baylovo - Bulgaria ( VIDEO - english subtitles)

Elder Dobry from Bulgaria - Sacred Mission

  

With his authentic clothes, sandals and homespun clothes, with his long white hair and a beard the grandfather is perceived by many as a traveler from the past. He looks more like the most ascetic saint of the Bulgarian Church St. Ivan Rilski than a contemporary of immorality and corruption. He seemed to come from ancient times in different manners when mercy and faith had a sound basis.

Meanwhile, Elder Dodry is a good traveler … from the future in the literal sense and he does not stop jetting between his home village and other places to continue his righteous case in support of the church and spirituality. While he was young Dobry Dobrev regularly traveled the distance from Bajlovo to Sofia on foot. It exceeds 25 kilometers. 

But he can not rely on his legs and uses a bus. As many know him well, drivers often does not even want him money for a ticket. He often relies on the generosity of passers-by to secure the necessary food for the day. In the summer Elder Dobry is often seen to eat a ripe watermelon.

Sacred Mission

In recent years Elder Dobry most often goes to the church of “St. Alexander Nevski” and the church of”Holy Seven Saints” in Sofia. He collects money needed for the restoration of the church of “St. Cyril and Methodius” in Baylivi – 10 000 Levs. Has made donations for the renovation of the churches in Kalofer and Poibrene. 

The old man had given 25000 leva to the Eleshnishkiya monastery and the church in Gorno Kamartsi for their restoration. The

largest contribution, however, which helps to promote the work of the saint from Bajlovo, is undoubtedly for the temple-monument of “St. Alexander Nevsky.” But the unbearable amount of 35 000 lev the good old man has collected for years to be donated to the largest Christian church in the country. 

This happened in May 2009 when the old man found the secretary of the church board Stefan Kalaidjiev and shared his intention to make a big donation. It turns out that the money, penny by penny was payed in a bank branch in Novi Iskar by a close relative of his.. They went to town and began to enter any office of a credit institution to find out where the donation was kept. Just with one signature the temple received the largest donation in its history.

According to Stefan Kalaidjiev ,the average annual amount donated from people visiting the temple is 2000-2500 leva. The money is collected primarily around various holidays.The good grandfather donated his money for renovation and covering the throne in “Al. Nevsky” with gold again. New clothes and curtains were bought and a leak was done. 

As an expression of gratitude some people from the church headed by a preist called Tikhon visited the humble home of the ascetic from Bajlovo and offered their assistance for the purchase of some furniture essentials.The Saint of Bajlovo however refused everything.

The above mentioned donations are only a part of the famous ones. The rest are available to him, for whose glory it is collected. With the gifts the good Elder gives he can be compared with another one well known but unreal old man – Santa Claus. Elder Dobry does not take the children bears, dolls and trucks but gives them his example, transmits them hope to become a more honorable and spiritually uplifted people.

And who does not believe in Santa Claus can believe in the good old man. It means to believe in goodness.

Bulgaria: Bishop of Plovdiv, Nikolay - Surrogate motherhood is no different from prostitution

 

Surrogate motherhood is no different from prostitution, according to Bishop Nikolay, the radical Bulgarian Orthodox Bishop of Plovdiv.

Speaking after a service in Plovdiv on the occasion of the arrival of holy relics of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, the parents of Virgin Mary, Nikolay mentioned surrogacy while commenting on a recent case in which Bulgarian heroin-addicts offered their newborn baby "on sale" in an online forum for EUR 5 000.

"Two days after I reminded the position of the Holy Synod [of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church] about surrogate motherhood, and I was duly abused, the media exploded with the news that a child was offered for sale on the Internet. All were indignant. But I am asking, what is the difference between the sale of this child, and the future legal surrogate mothers?" the bishop stated, referring to changes in the Bulgarian legislation, as cited by Darik Plovdiv.

Bishop Nikolay went on to quote the Bulgarian-Bulgarian dictionary on the meaning of "surrogate" as an "inadequate replacement".

"The child [of a surrogate mother] will not be a child, it will be an inferior product," he argued.

"If we now accept surrogacy, how can we reject prostitution, procuring, human trafficking? What are our arguments against these things because the principle is the same – doing business and freedom of agreement?" the Plovdiv Bishop said.

On August 15, Dormition of Mary, Bishop Nikolay spurred public debate after declaring that surrogate motherhood and celibacy are sins, and urging a crackdown on corruption in the adoption of children.