site.btaPatriarch Daniil Speaks at Academic Session in Shumen University

Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil addressed the participants in the academic session dedicated to 1160 years of Bulgaria’s adoption of Christianity and 1170 years since the invention of the Glagolitic alphabet, held at the University of Shumen on Saturday.

“Our duty is to preserve the achievement of the saintly Prince Boris-Michael, the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, and their successors in time, by glorifying their memory and diligently studying their work,” said the Patriarch. He added that Bulgarians must be worthy imitators and continuers of their work, for it is one that is holy and sacred.

The Patriarch emphasized the personal and sovereign choice of the saintly ruler, the steps he took to strengthen and consolidate Christianity and the Church in Bulgaria, as well as the subsequent unprecedented flowering of spirituality and scholarship, which continue to be the subject of study and reflection to this day.

“The achievement of St Boris Michael is colossal, monumental and to this day leaves before us as a permanent task and sacred duty to his bright memory, and to all those who with diligence and zeal have given their strength, talents and their entire lives for the development and survival of Christian Bulgaria over the centuries,” added the Patriarch.

He also said that the beginning of the choice of Prince Boris I was his personal humility and determination to bow down and follow God's law. For the pagan ruler, who is also the supreme priest, the renunciation of spiritual authority is a huge challenge, Daniil pointed out, adding that, like Constantine the Great, Prince Boris I successfully walked this path, and this is a challenge for each person on a personal level.

The academic session was unveiled by Vice President Iliana Iotova.