site.btaDonors Honored at Consecration of New Bulgarian Church in London

Donors, as well as individuals who contributed to the reconstruction of the former chapel, were honored with distinctions at Sunday’s consecration of the new St John of Rila Church, officiated by Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil.

The Bulgarian Patriarch presented Atanas Bostandzhiev, one of the main donors for the construction of the new church, with the Order of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate “St. Cyril and Methodius" (First Class) as well as a certificate for his contributions to the church.

Metropolitan Antonii of Western and Central Europe said that today is a memorable day as the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the diocese in Western and Central Europe celebrate a historic moment—the consecration of the long-awaited church dedicated to St. John of Rila. 

According to him, God has sent helpers to make the project of reconstructing and converting the existing chapel into a church a reality.

He further said that there are many names of individuals who deserve recognition and praise for their contributions to this remarkable achievement.

By decision of the Diocesan Council of the Western and Central European Diocese, Maria Krasimirova Kameneva, the benefactor of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, was awarded the "St. Irenaeus of Lyons" Order, first class. According to Metropolitan Antonii, thanks to Kameneva’s assistance, the dome of the new church was constructed.

Alexander Manolev, who contributed to the creation of the iconostasis in the church, was awarded the cross of the Western and Central Europe Diocese.

Among the honorees was Miroslav Bogdantsaliev, the project leader for the construction of the church.

Certificates and an icon of St. John of Rila were presented to all those involved in the project.

Among those recognized today were Nikolay Denkov, MP and co-chair of the Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria parliamentary group; Bulgarian Ambassador to the UK Tihomir Stoytchev, and Marin Raykov, former ambassador of Bulgaria in London from 2019 to 2024, who was awarded the St. Irenaeus of Lyons Order.

This prestigious order was also presented to Pavel Zlatinov, who is part of the reconstruction and renovation project for the church, and to Tatiana Popova, a long-time donor.

Father Dobromir Dimitrov was also honored, and in turn, he presented an icon of the Virgin Mary (a panagia) to Metropolitan Antonii.

“The newly consecrated St. John of Rila Church in London symbolizes the potential we have when working together, with the state supporting the Church, and the people, the laity, contributing,” said Rositsa Kirova, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Direct Citizen Participation, Complaints, and Interaction with Civil Society, who attended the consecration and the Vespers service at the Bulgarian church in the British capital on February 22.

"What I saw yesterday and during my visit to the Orthodox Monastery in Essex, and what I see here now, is that faith can unite us and heal us from all that pulls us more towards the earth. So, I hope this church will be the gathering center for the Bulgarian community, which is large in London. They will have their home, their help, and protection," Kirova added.

She also extended her congratulations to Father Dobromir Dimitrov for his work, for painting the icons in the church, and for "the kind words with which he welcomes everyone."