National days of mourning for Patriarch Neophyte, the deceased leader of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, will be held on Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16 by government decision. Neophyte died on the night of March 13 at the age of 78 after a long illness.
As a rule, on a national day of mourning the Bulgarian flag is flown at half mast at all government institutions. Books of condolences are opened at the Bulgarian diplomatic missions abroad.
On such a day the national news media should cancel any entertaining and other inappropriate programmes, and keep the public updated on the events associated with the mourning. A black ribbon may appear on the TV screen or in print periodicals. Official and secular events, except for those of private nature, should proceed in a way that suits the nationwide mourning or even be cancelled.
By decision of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the body of the deceased patriarch will lie in state at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky in Sofia from 9 a.m. on March 15. A funeral liturgy will be held on March 16, beginning at 9:30 a.m. A procession will then carry Neophyte's body from the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Nedelya, also in the capital, where it will be buried.
/VE/
news.modal.text
