Celebrating 1160 years of Bulgarian baptism and 1170 years of the Bulgarian alphabet

This evening, at 6pm, a prayer service will be held in the courtyard of the Great Basilica, followed by a festive concert dedicated to the 1160th anniversary of the baptism of the Bulgarian people and the 1170th anniversary of the creation of the Bulgarian alphabet.

The celebrations in Varna began on the eve of the day dedicated to the memory of Tsar Boris the Baptiser, with a festive patriarchal evening vespers. Today, on the feast of Tzar Boris, Patriarch Daniel led a solemn liturgy in the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Varna, in co-celebration with members of the Holy Synod, bishops and priests.

At the end of the service, the Bishop of Melnik, Gerasim, read the Patriarchal and Synodal Message on the occasion of this great event. The message highlights the monumental and significant work of the Baptist of the Bulgarian people, which "marks the most important spiritual, cultural and civilisational choice of our people in its millennial and eventful history".