site.btaPatriarch Neophyte Proclaims Jesus's Resurrection

April 19 (BTA) - Officiating at a midnight liturgy in
front of Sofia's St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Saturday
night, the leader of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch
Neophyte, proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus and wished that
the grace and the peace of the Lord be extended to all Bulgarian
 people.

"Christ is risen!" Neophyte said, speaking to a relatively small
 group of believers who had gathered for the service outside the
 cathedral. The ceremony started outdoors because of the risks
associated with the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Still standing in front of the cathedral, Neophyte delivered his
 paschal message to the Bulgarian people.

The ceremony was broadcast live on the official Facebook page of
 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and on Bulgarian National
Television. This enabled believers to experience the holy event
while staying at home amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Nationwide, the crowds that gathered in and outside churches on
Easter night were smaller than usual.

Those who turned up for another Easter liturgy at Sofia's St
Nedelya Cathedral on Sunday were not many either. The believers
heeded the recommendations of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian
Orthodox Church to wear face masks, not to bring flowers and to
keep a safe distance apart. RY/VE

//