On 6 March, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria celebrated the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the town of Ihtiman.
Concelebrating with him were Bishop Ioan of Branits; Stavrophore Oikonomos Plamen Dimitrov, Episcopal Vicar of the Ihtiman ecclesiastical district; clergy from the district; and Deacon Dimitar Stefanov.
The liturgical hymns were performed by the “St. Naum of Ohrid” Choir, conducted by Dr. Andrey Kasabov, Acting Secretary of the Holy Metropolis of Sofia.
At the end of the service, the Patriarch delivered an address in which he reflected on the spiritual meaning of Great Lent.
He emphasized that the holy Orthodox Church calls the faithful during this blessed time of repentance to reflect more deeply on their relationship with God and to undertake spiritual efforts leading to repentance.
The Patriarch noted that the period before Pascha, the Holy Forty Days, is a special time of restraint and spiritual renewal, when the Church reminds believers through its services and the examples of the saints of the path of repentance and the mercy of God.
“In this blessed period of repentance – Great Lent, the Holy Orthodox Church calls upon us to make efforts to look more closely at our relationship with God and to work for our repentance. Outside of fasting, even we, as Orthodox Christians, relax, a little less negligence covers our attention, thoughts, desires,” said the Patriarch.
Referring to the prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, often recited during the Lenten services, he spoke about the virtues of chastity, humility, patience, and love, explaining that these virtues are the true fruits of repentance and the path that leads to communion with God.
He encouraged the faithful to participate regularly in the Lenten services, especially those held on Wednesdays and Fridays, and not to neglect the spiritual opportunity offered by the fasting period.
Patriarch Daniel also urged believers to approach confession and Holy Communion with preparation, repentance, and humility, emphasizing that union with God is the ultimate goal of repentance.
“Next week, find the strength to read about confession, the questions for confession, to see the mistakes you make, and in confession to the priest, distance yourself from what torments the conscience and prevents the peace of Christ from calming and pacifying the soul; and then let us approach the Holy Chalice. This is the goal of our repentance – our union with God,” said the Patriarch.
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
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Photos: Vesela Ignatova