site.btaPatriarch: Bulgaria's Freedom Marks Efforts, Aspirations, Self-Sacrifice of Thousands of Bulgarians during Five Centuries of Ottoman Rule

Bulgaria’s freedom, which dawned on March 3, 1878, marks the efforts, aspirations and self-sacrifice of thousands of Bulgarians during the five centuries of Ottoman rule, Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil told BTA. He led a thanksgiving prayer service for the Liberation of Bulgaria at the Patriarchal Cathedral St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Tuesday.

“My words to the Bulgarian people on today’s holiday are words of joy at the significance of this day. The joy of this day unites Bulgarians from all the territories where they lived during those 500 years. We owe today’s celebration to our ancestors who proved themselves under conditions of bondage. They proved that they are one people, united by one faith, one language, one glorious past, and glorious forebears,” Patriarch Daniil said.

He added that the National Day, more than any other holiday, expresses the nationwide aspiration and, even in a political sense, "fulfils the ideal of freedom for our people, including those territories that later became separated from the living body of Bulgaria."

“The Treaty of San Stefano is a testament to the labour and self-sacrifice of our ancestors. Therefore, let us remember this and today bear witness that we are the heirs of our forebears and let us not betray their cultural and spiritual achievements,” the Bulgarian Patriarch urged.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is marking March 3, the National Day commemorating the Liberation from Ottoman rule.

In churches across the country, in addition to the regular services for the day, a memorial service is held for all those who gave their lives for the freedom of the homeland. This is followed by a prayer service for peace, health and salvation for the entire nation.