site.btaUPDATED Political Leaders Greet Bulgarians on Eastern Orthodox Easter

President Rumen Radev congratulated Bulgarians on the occasion of Eastern Orthodox Easter,on his Facebook page and expressed hope that they will always be united in protecting human life and in caring for the future of Bulgaria, Bulgaria’s children. “Let us stand and remain as a people striving for peace and well-being in the modern world of trials,” the head of State added.

“May the festive light unite us around the pursuit of peace, creation and prosperity, as a people and as a state,” said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov on the Facebook page of the Council of Ministers. In his post, Zhelyazkov reiterated the eternal Christian virtues: charity, humility and spiritual fortitude”.

Vice President Iliana Iotova wished Bulgarians health, strong faith, bright and blessed days in her Facebook post. She attended the Saturday evening service at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral where the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil announced the Resurrection of Christ and sent a blessing to the Bulgarian people.

In a greeting distributed by the parliamentary press centre, National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova said: “May everyone feel the warmth and togetherness in their home on Easter! May love for our neighbor give us strength to work for a better future for all our compatriots. May each of us strive to help those in need and forgive those who have sinned, as the Christian religion teaches us. Christ is risen! May there be health, happiness and prosperity in every home!"

Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the Bulgarian Socialist Party Atanas Zafirov urged Bulgarian not to lose hope for a better future, as despite the difficulties that society is facing, Bulgarians have the strength and will to overcome them, thanks to their daily efforts and faith. "Let us preserve humanity in ourselves, compassion for our neighbor and work to ensure that there are no rejected and forgotten people in our society," added the Deputy Prime Minister.

GERB leader Boyko Borisov congratulated Bulgarians with a video with the caption "Christ is Risen”, posted on his Facebook page. 

“Let us be better, more empathetic, have more love for each other and forgive each other,” said Continue the Change Co-chair  Kiril Petkov in a Facebook post and wished everyone  bright holidays and grace. He thanked Father Stoil for the wonderful Easter liturgy in the town of Rakitovo.

Democracy for Rights and Freedoms (DRF) floor leader Dzhevdet Chakarov said that Ester is not only a religious holiday, but also a symbol of faith in goodness, strength of spirit and the victory of life over darkness. “The DRF has always been and will be a political force built on respect for differences, coexistence and cooperation between all ethnicities and religions in Bulgaria. Our mission is to build a society based on tolerance, mutual respect and unity, because it is in diversity that the strength of our nation lies,” Chakarov pointed out.

MRF-New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski also congratulated Bulgarians on the occasion of Easter, quoted by the party’s press centre: “May these bright holidays bring the energy for a new beginning for all people, for a European, stable and secure Bulgaria”. 

In his congratulatory Facebook post, Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov said: “Christ is risen! God willing, Bulgaria too!”. He noted that Sunday marks a historically rare coincidence, as Bulgarians also celebrate 149 years since the April Uprising, and pid a tribute “to those who died so that we could live”.