14.06.2023
His Holiness Neophyte, Patriarch of Bulgaria, blessed Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov and wished every success to the government.
At their meeting today, the Prime Minister expressed his deep respect for the high erudition and social commitment of the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC). He appreciated the involvement of the Church in the social problems of the people and the active contribution of the Church to the relief campaigns intended for refugees from Ukraine and for sufferers from the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Further, Acad. Denkov recognized the role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the good interaction between the different denominations in Bulgaria.
Metropolitan Anthony for Western and Central Europe reiterated the spiritual support of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to the newly elected cabinet and wished the cabinet ministers to govern with wisdom in the current situation that is so difficult for our country. He expressed gratitude for the support of the government in the acquisition of the St. Boniface Church in Stuttgart, Germany where the transaction will be finalized next week.
Polycarp, Bishop of Belogradchik, expressed hope that the central government would fund the construction St. Stefan, a large church in the South Park in the capital city, Sofia, as the BOC’s own resources and the donations received are not enough.
The incorporation of the catechesis as a compulsory subject into the school syllabus was another topic of discussion. “This is an investment into the future as it will minimize aggression among children and will inculcate virtues in them,” Metropolitan Anthony noted.
As Patriarch Neophyte offered his present to the Prime Minister, a Bible, he wished him that he may find there answers to important questions in hard moments. All cabinet ministers will receive the same gift.
