Bulgarian Minister of Justice in Athos: The Zograf Monastery is one of the symbols of Bulgarian spirituality

“This is a historical event of great importance, given the fact that the Holy Zograf Monastery is one of the symbols of Bulgarian spirituality,” the minister said after the ceremony. He added that here the Bulgarian people find not only a path to their roots, but also hope and faith for the future.

Georgi Georgiev pointed out that every year thousands of Bulgarians volunteer to work on Athos, helping with the renovation of the monastery and getting involved in other activities.

“I am convinced that you will continue to lead the brotherhood in the spirit of the Athos tradition, to preserve the purity of monastic life and the spiritual heritage of Zograf, as well as to maintain a lively and indissoluble connection between the monastery and our homeland,” wrote Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in a congratulatory address to Archimandrite Gavriil. In his words, the monastery of the Holy Martyr George the Victorious is a place where the Bulgarian identity has been built and preserved over the centuries and the indomitable Bulgarian spirit has been maintained.