BOC Patriarchate celebrates translation of St. Alexander Nevsky’s relics

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria celebrated the Divine Liturgy on August 30 at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia on the feast of the translation of the saint’s relics, according to the Bulgarian Patriarchate’s website.

Every year on August 30, the Orthodox Church commemorates the translation of the relics of the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to St. Petersburg, which took place in the 18th century. Patriarch Daniel presided over the service in Sofia, concelebrated by Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Bishop Ioan of Branitsa, Bishop Isaac of Velbazhd and cathedral clergy.

In his sermon, Patriarch Daniel spoke about the life and spiritual feats of the holy prince, highlighting his unwavering resolve and complete trust in God’s Providence. According to the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, these qualities of the saint remain an example for every Christian soul.

As previously reported by the UOJ, pilgrims in Bulgaria walked 120 kilometers in a procession to the Rila Monastery.

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, the largest Orthodox church in Bulgaria, was built in the early 20th century in memory of the Russian soldiers who died during the country’s liberation from Ottoman rule.