He does not accept the definition of "apostle" or "missionary", although for many he is exactly that - a messenger of God in the world, proclaiming His Word. He first became a priest in his native Vidin diocese, in Northwestern Bulgaria. In the Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese of Western and Central Europe he began his service in the cathedral in Berlin. Later, he founded the Bulgarian parish in Hamburg, then the parishes in Cologne, in Leipzig... He travelled many times every month to serve there for years, until under his care the church community strengthened. With his inherent unpretentiousness he says in a special interview with Radio Bulgaria that his principle in life is "work in vain, do not stand in vain. It will happen.”

"When a person works, things happen. There is no way they will not work out. So, one must work and God decides who is an apostle and who is not. Our sins are not few. We must do something, because otherwise we will be left only with our sins and our brand new shoes."

Well, Father Julian Angelov will certainly not be left with new shoes. He has broken more than a few pairs from travelling around the airports and roads of Europe. He often accompanies the Western and Central European Metropolitan Anthony on his trips throughout the vast diocese to one or another church community.

And in 2020-2021, in addition to his commitments in Germany, Metropolitan Anthony entrusted him with the care of the Bulgarian parish in Geneva, as well as the Bulgarians from the entire French-speaking part of Switzerland. Since then, he has been going there once a month to serve liturgy and has also travelled for funerals and baptisms.

What motivates him to sacrifice his time, which he could devote to his family or his parishioners in Berlin?

"People motivate me. It motivates me when you receive love in the parishes and you see that it is mutual. This love makes you fly and do things that you would hardly imagine. The parishioners are like children and you cannot leave them. This love gives you strength. I have even served with severe back pain. I could not stand straight, but love is stronger than anything," Father Julian says.

In every region of Europe, Bulgarians face different problems and the challenges he faces as a priest and their spiritual mentor are different. He points out that in Geneva, unlike other parishes, Bulgarian compatriots do not have problems related to housing, healthcare, work... Their problems are of a different nature. The Bulgarians there are very well paid - they hold good positions in the banking sector and in funds, but things there are very dynamic and they bear enormous responsibilities and take great risks.

As an Orthodox priest, he must explain to them that many things do not depend on them and that they must do everything with prayer and when they win, not to forget to thank God. When they lose they must find the strength to say: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord".

"This is what we are learning. There everyone has their own home, job, money, salary, family, etc. They don't have the main problems of most people, but the evil one has arranged it so that they can still lose their immortal souls. The standard of living does not determine a person's salvation. Work in Geneva is completely different. It can last until nine in the evening and they can make you stay there again on Saturday and on Sunday. All the time the system tells you ‘go, go, go’ and you sweat, sweat, sweat and finally they put you in the grave. And salvation is in another place, when you are not in a hurry, when you walk a little slower and think. If you pray in the morning, at noon and in the evening, it will not be like that and you will see something that you would not otherwise be able to see."

Father Julian points out that in our time, wealth has other dimensions and receiving a high salary for your work does not mean that you are rich, as life in Geneva and other cities in the West is expensive and taxes and rents are high. "They take 80% of what you have earned. As generously as they give you, they take it back from you. I would not say that it is worth selling your soul for such a thing. It is not worth to sell it for anything because the soul is priceless," the priest says.

For a short time, under the care and guidance of Father Julian, the parish became the largest and most united Bulgarian community in Geneva, as well as the organization with the greatest public interest. It earned deserved trust among other Christian communities in the city and from the local authorities. But the most valuable fruits of his efforts, from the thousands of kilometres travelled, from the time and energy he devoted to his service are the progress of his flock in faith and their mutual love.

• Father Julian Angelov – from Vidin to Berlin in service to God

Author: Alexandra Karamihaleva

Editor: Darina Grigorova

Publication in English: Alexander Markov

Photos: Alexandra Karamihaleva