On December 15, just a few days before the Christmas holidays, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria visited the University Hospital for Active Treatment and Emergency Medicine “N. I. Pirogov.” The Patriarch visited the children to offer them gifts and to bless them for a successful treatment and a speedy recovery.
Accompanied by Dimitar Goranov, Head of the Office of the Patriarch of Bulgaria, and Ivan Tuparov from the Department of “Spiritual and Educational Ministry” of the Sofia Metropolis, he was warmly welcomed by Dr. Valentin Dimitrov, Executive Director of the hospital. They then visited the pediatric hospital wards. There, the Patriarch distributed festive gift bags to the young patients containing Orthodox books, sweets, and other gifts provided by Mrs. Tatyana Popova, owner of the “Avanti” chain of stores. Patriarch Daniel also blessed the attending doctors, nurses, and medical staff, giving each of them icons depicting the Nativity of Christ.