Bulgarian service for the Resurrection of Christ to be held in Ireland

On April 12, 2026, when the Orthodox Church celebrates the Resurrection of Christ, the Bulgarian community in Ireland will attend a service in their native language for the first time in many years.

The metropolitan of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for Western and Central Europe, Anthony, will personally lead the festive liturgy.

The question of a Bulgarian church service is also one of the most frequently asked to the diplomatic mission in Dublin, Ambassador Vanya Andreeva-Malakova commented in an interview with Radio Bulgaria.

"I am very happy that this year, on April 12, we can organize a solemn celebration of the Resurrection of Christ with an Easter service, which will be personally led by Metropolitan Anthony,” Vanya Andreeva-Malakova told Radio Bulgaria. “For two and a half years now, when Easter comes, people have been calling the embassy asking if there would be a place to attend a Bulgarian service. And when they receive a negative answer, people scatter in different directions and this is not good for the community. There is great interest from Bulgarian citizens. That is why we have asked them to inform us in advance whether they will attend. The church where the liturgy will be held can accommodate 250-300 people."

When asked whether the Easter service in Bulgarian is a step towards creating a Bulgarian parish, Ambassador Vanya Andreeva replied that this is a long and difficult process, but it all depends on the Bulgarian community:

"I hope that after this event, our community will be active enough so that church services in Bulgarian will become a sustainable practice. We will continue to fully support these efforts."

Vanya Andreeva-Malakova said that for the needs of the Bulgarian service on April 12, constructive talks were held with the Archbishop of Dublin, who provided a local church for use on the holiday. "This is an example of Ireland's good attitude towards the culture of the different communities on its territory," the ambassador in Dublin said.

The festive Easter service in Dublin, led by Metropolitan Anthony, will begin at 10:30 a.m. on April 12 and will be held at All Hallows Chapel, located on the territory of DCU Campus, the website of Bulgarians in Ireland bghroniki.com informs.

The event will also be attended by a team of the Bulgarian National Radio, led by the institution's director general, Milen Mitev.

The Bulgarian delegation will also include the directors general of BNT, Milena Milotinova, and of BTA, Kiril Valchev.

With a performance of Church Slavonic chants and Bulgarian folklore, popular Bulgarian quartet "Svetoglas" will send greetings to the Bulgarian compatriots on Easter. This will also be a premiere in Ireland of their album "Ancient Hymns of Orthodoxy", recently released by the Bulgarian National Radio.

Editor: Krasimir Martinov