site.btaBulgarian Patriarch Daniil Celebrates Solemn Service for St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral's Centenary

Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil celebrated a solemn divine service on Saturday on the occasion of the centenary of the consecration of the Patriarchal Cathedral St. Alexander Nevsky.

The divine service took place in the cathedral and was celebrated by Patriarch Daniil, synodal metropolitans and bishops of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, as well as representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches.

Among those present were Vice President Iliana Iotova, Sofia University Rector Prof. Georgi Valchev, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Chair Julian Revalski, diplomats, representatives of the Church Board of Trustees of the Patriarchal Cathedral and many worshipers. 

The celebrations of the hundredth anniversary of the consecration of the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which took place in 1924, began with a festive evening service on Friday.

The cathedral was actually consecrated on September 12, but the celebration of its centenary takes place on November 23, when the winter holiday of the temple is, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Chair of the Church Board of Trustees of the St. Alexander Nevsky Cahtedral and General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, told BTA. 

The temple was first consecrated in 1924. Since it has three thrones, the consecration took place over three consecutive days, September 12, 13 and 14, 1924, Bishop Gerasim explained.