site.btaBulgarian Government Pledges “Unwavering Support” for Zograf Monastery

The Bulgarian government has pledged further support for the Zograf Monastery in Mt Athos. “On behalf of the Bulgarian state, I want to express our readiness for further, unwavering support,” Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev told Archimandrite Gabriel on Sunday after the latter’s enthronement as Hegumen of the Zograf Monastery earlier in the day. The statement was made during a festive dinner.

Georgiev arrived at the monastery on Saturday, leading a Bulgarian delegation including Ministers Georgi Tahov of Agriculture and Food, Petar Dilov of Economy and Industry and Ivan Peshev of Youth and Sports, as well as Bulgarian Consul General in Thessaloniki Anton Markov. During Sunday’s enthronement, the Greek government was represented by Deputy Interior Minister Konstantinos Gioulekas. The Protos of Mt Athos and representatives of the monasteries in the region were at the event as well.

The Justice Minister wished Gabriel good health, strength and wisdom to enable him to take his monastic community through the challenges that lie ahead. He gave Gabriel an archimandrite’s wand as a present from the Bulgarian government and conveyed a message of congratulations from Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

In his first speech as hegumen, Gabriel said: “I know and realize very well that the great honour which has been bestowed upon me is not for an office of power but for a service of humility and comes with great spiritual weight and moral responsibility.”

Gioulekas said the Greek government makes it a point to assist the Athonite community. The Deputy Interior Minister congratulated Gabriel on his enthronement on behalf of the Greek government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.