Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil begins first visit to Jerusalem as primate

Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, who is also Metropolitan of Sofia, arrived on Friday, Sept. 25, for a visit to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. It is his first visit there since he became head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The Bulgarian Patriarchate said the trip runs through Sept. 30, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported. Daniil is travelling at the invitation of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, following a decision of the Bulgarian Holy Synod.

According to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, its representatives met the delegation at Ben Gurion Airport at midday. A formal welcome followed at Jaffa Gate that evening. The Patriarchate gives the time as 6:15 p.m.; Orthodox Times gives 5:30 p.m. The two patriarchs then went in procession to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. There they venerated the Stone of the Anointing and the Tomb of Christ, and Daniil read a Resurrection Gospel in Bulgarian, the Patriarchate said.

In his address, Daniil prayed "for peace and goodwill among all the peoples and religious communities of the Holy Land." The Patriarchate said Theophilos III gave him the Cross of the Holy Sepulchre. He was also made a Grand Cross of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. The Patriarchate noted that the visit coincides with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

BNR and Orthodox Times say the two patriarchs will celebrate the Divine Liturgy together on Sunday, Sept. 27. Orthodox Times says it will be held at the Holy Sepulchre. BNR says Daniil will visit holy sites, then go on to Jordan and meet King Abdullah II; no date has been given for that meeting. The Bulgarian church said the visit is meant to affirm Orthodox unity and solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land and to call for peace in the Middle East.