Patriarch Daniil Lights First Candle at Bulgarian Church in London

Valentin Evstatiev, Iva Vatashka

Patriarch Daniil (front, left) in the St John of Rila Church in London ahead of its consecration. February 21, 2025 (BTA Photo)

London,

21.02.2025 23:58

(BTA)

The Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), Patriarch Daniil, lit the first candle at the St John of Rila Church in London on Friday.

Situated on the premises of the Bulgarian Embassy in the UK capital, the church was converted from a former chapel which was expanded and upgraded to a full-fledged house of worship. The place will be consecrated with a ceremony during the weekend, February 22-23. It is the first Bulgarian Orthodox church in the UK.

Only three walls of the former chapel (itself converted from a garage in 1993) went into the building of the church. New foundations were laid, and other structural elements were added. The Bulgarian state has provided BGN 3.3 million for the project. Bulgarians in the UK and businesspeople back in the homeland have donated another BGN 1.5 million, according to information from the BOC.

BOC Metropolitan Antonii of Western and Central Europe, Metropolitan Pahommii of Vidin, Sofia Theological Seminary Rector Archimandrite Meletii, BOC Holy Synod Chief Secretary Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, MP Rositsa Kirova and Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev were in the church on Friday as well.

This is Patriarch Daniil's first official visit abroad. He will meet with Bulgarians from the Diocese of Western and Central Europe.

/VE/