Ceremony Opens for Bulgarian Revival Poet's Memorial Plaque in Odesa

BTA special correspondent Valeria Skorich, Diana Dukovska

Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail at the unveiling of a memorial plaque dedicated to Bulgarian poet Dobri Chintulov, Odesa, April 15, 2026 (BTA Photo/Hristo Kasabov)

Odesa, Ukraine,

15.04.2026 18:27

(BTA)

A memorial plaque dedicated to Bulgarian poet, composer and educator Dobri Chintulov (1822-1886) was unveiled at the Odessa Theological Seminary in Ukraine on Wednesday. Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail inaugurated the unveiling ceremony.

The plaque was installed through a joint initiative of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and the Bulgarian Consulate General in Ukraine, with support from the Odessa Theological Seminary.

In his address, Metropolitan Agafangel said the light of Christian faith illuminated his people more than a thousand years ago, describing it as a defining moment in the history of Kyivan Rus.

He also highlighted Bulgaria's role in the spread of Christianity, noting the broader dissemination of the faith through the missionary work of the brothers Cyril and Methodius, who laid the foundations of Slavic literacy and translated scripture and liturgical texts into Old Church Slavonic.

"Bulgaria is the cradle of Slavic literature. Bulgaria has shared this spiritual heritage generously with Rus," Metropolitan Agafangel added. He recalled the historical ties between the peoples.

The metropolitan also highlighted contemporary relations between Ukraine and Bulgaria. "Our Church, and the peoples of Bulgaria and Ukraine, cooperate fruitfully in addressing challenges… in the name of strengthening friendship, trust and good neighbourly relations," he said. "Our constant task remains the education of the faithful in a spirit of peace and justice, brotherly love and mutual understanding," the metropolitan.

A Bulgarian delegation attending the event included Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev, St Kliment Ohridski Sofia University Rector Georgi Valchev and MUSICAUTOR CEO Ivan Dimitrov.

Among the Ukrainian official guests were Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail, Archpriest Dmitry Yakovenko, Rector of the Odessa Theological Seminary, and Archbishop Sylvester (Stoychev) of Bilhorod.

/RD/