site.btaBulgarian Patriarch Daniil Marks First Anniversary of Enthronement with Patriarchal Liturgy

Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil officiated a solemn liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Sofia to mark the first anniversary of his enthronement. The service coincided with the Feast of the Holy Twelve Apostles.

Exactly one year ago, on this day, Daniil was elected Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church during a Church Council.

“The most important thing every Christian must do is to preserve faith and be witnesses of Christ. How well we have succeeded, only God will show,” Patriarch Daniel said in response to media questions about his first year in office.

He also emphasized the importance of unity in both church and society. “A great task lies ahead of us. God commands us to be one and to strive with all our might and mind not to break this unity. God help us - this is the most important thing.”

Daniil, then Metropolitan of Vidin, was elected Patriarch on June 30, 2024, by delegates of the Patriarchal Electoral Council in a closely contested vote.  

Born in 1972 in Smolyan, Patriarch Daniil studied theology at Sofia University and has served the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in various capacities, including as bishop and archimandrite, before his election as Patriarch.