site.btaChurch Donates BGN 18,000-Plus to Pediatric Unit

The children’s Ear, Nose and Throat department at the Queen Giovanna Hospital in Sofia on Friday received BGN 18,200 raised in a charity campaign by the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on the occasion of June 1, International Children’s Day.

The money was handed to the hospital managers by Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech.

“We are the initiators, but the real donors are children, whose works we auction,” said Metropolitan Gavriil, who heads the department for culture and education with the Holy Synod.

"The donation is particularly important because the artists have agreed their works to be sold and the money donated to their peers, children who are sick and need treatment. In this way we are trying to teach the children to be compassionate,” he said.

“We are trying to do many things on our own, the Health Ministry is trying to help us but our facilities are enormous,” said hospital manager Lyubomir Penev.  “Many patients go through our departments and we are trying to improve the conditions in every way,” he said, adding that the hospital welcomes donations from everyone who is willing.

Metropolitan Gavriil performed a water blessing ceremony on the occasion of the hospital’s holiday which will be marked for 87th time on November 11.