site.btaPatriarch Daniil Says May 6 Is Inseparably Linked to Honouring Bulgaria's "Invincible Military"

Daniil, Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia, said May 6 - the Day of Valour and the Bulgarian Armed Forces, is inseparably linked in Bulgarian state and church tradition with honouring and expressing gratitude to Bulgaria's "invincible military".

Patriarch Daniil spoke after leading the traditional blessing ceremony and consecration of military battle flags in the capital on Tuesday.

"In lasting testimony to the triumph of life brought by the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I wholeheartedly greet you on the radiant feast day of Saint George the Great Martyr - a warrior of Christ wondrous in faith and virtue, and a universally glorified heavenly protector and miracle worker," he said.

Following the tradition observed on May 6, the feast day of Saint George, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church blesses the battle flags of Bulgaria's victorious army and prays for God's mercy and protection over the armed forces, which safeguard the peace and security of the country, Patriarch Daniil added.

According to him, the day's prayers and rituals are rooted in the historical belief that Bulgarian soldiers have always placed their trust first in God and in the Christian faith. He said this conviction guided not only Saint George, but also generations of Bulgarian warriors who fought to defend their homeland and fellow believers.

Patriarch Daniil noted that the tradition of blessing military banners dates back to the First Bulgarian Empire and the reign of Tsar Simeon I. He recalled that the first historically documented ceremony of this kind took place in 917 before the Battle of Achelous, which ended in a major Bulgarian victory.

He said the ritual reflects the faith of Bulgaria's ancestors that no truly good or meaningful deed can be accomplished without God's grace and support.

"Guided by this faith and conviction, our great forefathers throughout the centuries sought God's help in all their endeavours. We do the same today as, in unity between Church and State, we pray for God's protection for our military, and for peace, prosperity and wellbeing for our people and homeland," Patriarch Daniil said.