Father Petar Simeonov – 50 years in the service of God

There is a saying that God brings together people who share common values, destinies, and ideas, who look in the same direction and walk the steep path of spiritual growth. In his role as a servant of God, a priest, in turn, welcomes into the Church those with the same faith and moral values, creating an environment where souls seeking God can more easily find one another and together build a strong and united community.

For those living abroad, when their homeland is thousands of kilometers away, the need to belong to a spiritual family—where people share a common language and faith—is even more deeply felt. It is precisely here that our Church plays its role, responding to the spiritual needs of our compatriots living far from their Fatherland.

“I believe there is no other institution that possesses the proven means to restore the disrupted spiritual balance in each of us”, notes Father Petar Simeonov, head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church “St. Sophronius of Vratsa” in Lyon. “In my opinion based on fifty years of experience, that institution is the Church. In today’s society, where we have become so closed off, people often feel reluctant to leave once they enter the church”, says Father Simeonov.

Father Petar Simeonov has been encountering seeking souls on the streets, in hospitals, and in prisons for half a century. His personal approach to his parishioners has earned him immense respect as a spiritual father, one who knows the fates of generations of Bulgarians and shares in the joys and trials that families go through.

“You need to know—or learn—how to approach the different circumstances that life or God presents. Never be overly strict. The role of a priest is to seek out human souls and, through the means of the Church, guide them toward salvation. Our biggest problem is that we do not realize the wealth we possess, and very often we fail to use the most appropriate methods, forms and tools to reach those who are searching, because Orthodoxy satisfies intellectual, emotional and mystical needs alike”, says Father Simeonov.

Father Petar Simeonov has turned the Bulgarian Church in Lyon into a home where everyone is welcome and can find comfort and community. His ability to see beyond the surface and bring people together with fatherly care creates a sense of a true Orthodox family—not only among his spiritual children in France but also far beyond.

This was evident during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his service at the Bulgarian Orthodox Church “St. Sophronius of Vratsa” in Lyon. By God’s grace and with the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe, the small church was filled with laypeople from near and far. Bulgarians came from Sofia, Geneva, Madrid, Paris, Lille, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Cannes, Nice and Algiers, as well as French attendees from mixed marriages—all honoring Father Petar’s invitation to attend the modest celebration organized by the Lyon parish.

Among the distinguished guests at the celebration was Ambassador Mariana Boyadzhieva, who first met Father Petar back in 1994 in Paris.

“I personally believe that it is the Bulgarian Orthodox Church that helps unite Bulgarian communities around the world, especially in countries where other religions are practiced. It provides a space where Orthodox Bulgarians—and not only Bulgarians—can come together to celebrate, to mark both joyful and sorrowful events, and participate in services in the spirit and traditions of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church”, says Mariana Boyadzhieva.

Protopsaltis Georgi Mikov, deputy conductor of the Male Choir of the “St. Nedelya” Cathedral Church travelled from Sofia especially for the celebration. He filled the solemn Vasilieva (Basil's) Liturgy with his beautiful chants.

The joy in the eyes of the congregation was a vivid testament to the love and faith that connected their souls. When people experience such pure happiness simply from being together, it is a sure sign of the spiritual kinship between them, rooted in shared values.

“We are very grateful for this invitation– said Marin Rashev, who came from Paris with his wife Diana. –We met so many incredible and kind people, and we hope this will continue as a tradition, and that we can be part of the community’s joint projects. The Church is the link to God and to other Bulgarians.”

“Of course, in the church we find the Bulgarian faith that we carry with us. We Bulgarians are people of great spirit, which is why so many Bulgarians have succeeded in high positions—bright minds who, unfortunately, are living abroad”, says folk singer Radka Gancheva, who moved Father Petar’s spiritual children to tears with her heartfelt Bulgarian songs. “The most beautiful place is Bulgaria, and if we overcome the economic difficulties, I believe that Bulgaria will be that bouquet of flowers, that paradise we sing about”, adds Radka Gancheva, before beginning to sing: “Oh Bulgaria, beautiful and beloved mother….”

 The joy in the eyes of all who came to honor Father Petar was the greatest gift for his 50 years of service—it showed that the seeds he had sown over half a century had borne good fruit.

A musical performance by 11-year-old Alexandrina

Photos and video: Darina Grigorova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov