Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian Foreign Minister in Athos: The Zograf Monastery is one of the symbols of Bulgarian spirituality

Photo: Press office of Bulgarian Council of Ministers

A Bulgarian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, attended the enthronement of Archimandrite Gavrii as abbot of the Zograf Monastery in Mount Athos.
“This is a historical event of great importance, given the fact that the Holy Zograf Monastery is one of the symbols of Bulgarian spirituality,” the minister said after the ceremony. He added that here the Bulgarian people find not only a path to their roots, but also hope and faith for the future.


Georg Georgiev pointed out that every year thousands of Bulgarians volunteer to work on Athos, helping with the renovation of the monastery and getting involved in other activities.


“I am convinced that you will continue to lead the brotherhood in the spirit of the Athos tradition, to preserve the purity of monastic life and the spiritual heritage of Zograf, as well as to maintain a lively and indissoluble connection between the monastery and our homeland,” wrote Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in a congratulatory address to Archimandrite Gavriil. In his words, the monastery of the Holy Martyr George the Victorious is a place where the Bulgarian identity has been built and preserved over the centuries and the indomitable Bulgarian spirit has been maintained.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Българска Патриаршия

The Bulgarian Patriarchate celebrates 72 years since its restoration

On 10 May we mark 72 years since the restoration of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, whose existence ended at the end of the 14th century when Bulgaria fell under five centuries of Ottoman rule. Efforts to restore it began in the Renaissance. In 1870 the..

published on 5/10/25 10:44 AM

Bulgaria's oldest icon depicts St George and St Demetrius

In popular belief, St George is the younger twin brother of St Demetrius . Ethnographers describe them as Christianised images of mythical heroes - strong, agile and swift. They are victorious, leaping over mountains and seas, releasing the waters,..

published on 5/6/25 7:05 AM

The relics of St. George the Victorious are on display at the Church of St. Athanasius the Great in Gorni Lozen

"You must have strong faith and pray - then the saint will help you and carry your prayer to God," says Father Georgi Markov of the Church of St. Athanasius the Great in Gorni Lozen near Sofia. He adds that he has often witnessed the miracles of St..

published on 5/1/25 7:47 PM