site.btaPatriarch Daniil Addresses Unification Day in Sermon near Breznik

Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil led the festive liturgy at the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra in the village of Rebro, Breznik. His visit coincided with Unification Day and the Christian holiday known in the Orthodox calendar as the Miracle of Archangel Michael. 

In his sermon, the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church recalled that on this day this country is celebrating a great event, which he described as national, grand, and crowned with success. Daniel commented that 140 years ago, Eastern Rumelia and the Principality of Bulgaria united, despite the resistance of the official authorities and the Great Powers.

"On March 3, the entire nation from all corners of Bulgaria felt this breath of freedom. The aspirations of our people over these five centuries and of all those who rose up and died for freedom were realized on March 3. And when, in July in Berlin, the great powers divided up the territories of Bulgaria, our ancestors did not give up," the Patriarch recalled, noting they achieved this with courage, love, and a desire for unity, solidarity, and unification.

"Ordinary people in several small towns such as Panagyurishte and Chirpan rose up in revolt and set off for Plovdiv with their bands. Despite the decision of the official authorities to oppose this popular movement, the conspirators succeeded, and on this day the government of Eastern Rumelia surrendered, and then Prince Alexander Battenberg recognized this union," His Holiness recalled.