Department for External Church Relations
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Commemorative events marking the 65th anniversary since the demise of Archbishop Seraphim began with requiem liturgy at the Russian church of St. Nicholas in Sofia
On 13 February 2015, Metropolitan Longin of Saratov and Volsk celebrated the requiem Divine liturgy at the Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-worker – the Patriarchal metochion in Sofia with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Concelebrating were Metropolitan Joan of Varna and Veliky Preslav, Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop, rector of the church, archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev) and clerics of the Sofia metropolia.
Praying in the sanctuary were Metropolitan Dometian of Vidin, Metropolitan Grigorij of Veliko Tărnovo, and archimandrite Gerasim (Georgiev), chief secretary of the Holt Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The choir of the Church of St. Nicholas sang liturgical hymns.
After the Liturgy, Metropolitan Longin, a graduate from the Theological Faculty of the University of Sofia greeted the worshippers and congratulated them on the commemoration day of the late Archbishop Seraphim. He believes that Archbishop Seraphim has become a national saint, like St. John of Rila.
Metropolitan Joan of Varna and Veliky Preslav addressed the worshippers on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria and wished good health and spiritual strength to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill with a feeling of deep respect to him, and to all Russian clergymen.
Archimandrite Philip underscored that the whole life of Archbishop Seraphim was the defence of faith, and witness of the purity, truth and beauty of Orthodox in the cruel 20th century, which was cruel for the whole world. He continued to say: ‘A good community was established in Sofia through the prayers of Archbishop Seraphim. It united thousands of people, both the Russians and Bulgarians. The Lord has glorified Archbishop Seraphim, and many miracles are performed as people apply to him.’
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06.11.2020