site.btaMemorial Service for Father Alexander Cikirik Held at Orthodox Church in Edirne

A memorial service was held in Edirne on Saturday for Father Alexander Cikirik, a priest at the Bulgarian Church of St. George, who passed away three years ago, the church council of the Bulgarian Exarchate in Istanbul told BTA. The memorial service was held at the Church of St. George, one of the two Orthodox churches in the city.

The event was attended by Consul General of Bulgaria in Istanbul Radoslava Kafedzhiyska, the head of the church council of the Bulgarian Exarchate in Istanbul, Dimitri Yotef, the Board of Directors Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Edirne, Sezai Irmak, Union of Thracian Societies in Bulgaria head Krasimir Premyanov, Bulgarians from Istanbul, members of societies in Haskovo, Harmanli, Sredets, and Malko Tarnovo, mayors of Bulgarian municipalities, the Cikirik family, and other relatives of the priest. 

In her speech, Kafedzhiyska highlighted the contributions of Father Alexander Cikirik during his lifetime. “He was truly a valuable person who contributed greatly not only to Edirne, but also to Christians, to Bulgarians, and indeed to everyone. He strove for people to live together in harmony and peace. He represented us at every cultural event and every gathering and did important work in the name of humanity. We are trying to continue this valuable cause that he began. We continue to move forward on the same path," she said.

Yotef said Father Alexander Cikirik was a very valued person for the Orthodox community. 

The grave of Father Alexander Cikirik, located in the courtyard of St. George Church, was covered with flowers.

Born in Edirne and a descendant of Orthodox Bulgarians, Alexander Cikirik served for 21 years as a priest at the Bulgarian churches of St. George and Sts. Constantine and Helena in the city. He was awarded the Order of Sts. Cyril and Methodius for his contribution to the preservation of Orthodox Christian traditions in Turkiye and Bulgarian culture. He passed away from a heart attack on March 17, 2023. After his passing, the Bulgarian Sunday school in Edirne was named after him.

The late priest’s son, Georgi Cikirik, continues his father’s work as a priest at the Bulgarian Church of St. George in Edirne.