site.btaBulgarian Orthodox Community in Rome Marks 20th Anniversary

The Seven Saints Bulgarian Orthodox Community in Rome, named after St. Cyril, St. Methodius and their five disciples, marked 20 years since its establishment precisely on May 24, the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture and Slav Literature, the Community said in a Facebook post.

To mark the occasion, a festive liturgy was celebrated by the Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe Anthony at the Basilica of San Clemente in Rome, in co-celebration with the Rector of the St. John of Rila Seminary in Sofia, Bishop Pachomii, the head of the Orthodox Community in Rome archpriest Ivan Ivanov, who also teaches at Sofia University's faculty of Theology, and archpriest Sergiy Ninov of Stuttgart. The liturgy was accompanied with the angelic performance of the Seminary's choir conducted by Archimandrite Meletios, the post added.

Addressing the community, Metropolitan Anthony said everyone attending had participated "with one heart and one soul" in the event, a memorable one for both the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the state. He also expressed hope that the prayers of all may reach God, establish peace and give love and prosperity among the nations.

The event was also attended by the Bulgarian parliamentary delegation led by Parliament Chiar Rossen Zheliazkov who traditionally pay tribute to the relics of St. Cyril at the Basilica of San Clemente on the occasion of May 24. Representatives of the Catholic Church also attended the event.

The celebration of the anniversary was organized under the auspices of the Bulgarian Patriarchate and the Western and Central European Diocese, the Sofia Seminary, the Ministry of Culture and the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Rome, and the Faculty of Theology at Sofia University.