Politics Intrude on Paschal Celebrations in Sofia

The Paschal celebrations in the Bulgarian capital were somewhat marred this year by a disturbance in the patriarchal cathedral. The disturbance was caused by Volen Siderov, the leader of a Bulgarian opposition party, who questioned clergy giving the holy fire to President Georgi S. Parvanov (who as leader of the nation was the first layman to receive the fire) whether they served the 'atheist president' or God. More here.

New Martyrs of Batak Glorified in Sofia

This past Sunday the glorification of the New Martyrs of Batak and the Turkish Yoke was celebrated in the patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander of the Neva in Sofia, Bulgaria. Patriarch Maxim (Minkov) of Sofia led the services, which were concelebrated by 10 diocesan metropolitans and 13 auxiliary bishops of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

In addition to the concelebrating hierarchs, President Georgi S. Parvanov of Bulgaria and the representatives of the Russian and Romanian Orthodox Churches in Sofia as well as of the Zographou Monastery on Mount Athos also participated in the services. More here (in Bulgarian) and here (in English).