site.btaPatriarch Daniil Performs Solemn Vigil for Christmas Eve

Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil performed a solemn vigil for Christmas Eve in the St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral on Tuesday, together in co-celebration with bishops, deacons and archimandrites of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

 In his speech after the service, His Holiness said: "Glory be to God who does not forsake us. Glory to God who never forgets us. Glory to God who became Man to deliver us from sin, corruption and death. Glory to God who humbled, diminished,and limited Himself to exalt, liberate and save man. Glory to God who brought us His heavenly Peace! In these times of war, uncertainty and fear for the future, our only hope and comfort is the Lord Jesus Christ. For we have His promise to be with us until the end of the world."

"Beloved in the Lord, brothers and sisters, on Christmas Eve, on the eve of Christ's Nativity, we clearly see the future that God has planned for us, to be with us, now and forever! And God is with us, such is His unfailing good will. That is why no one is alone in Christ's Church. Christ is with us always and forever. But may we also be with Him, with our Lord God and Savior. The Orthodox faith does not leave man to his own devices, but gives him meaning and purpose, gives him strength and courage to overcome with God's help every difficulty, every misfortune, every temptation," said the Bulgarian Patriarch.

"May the Nativity of Christ be the beginning of a profound gracious change in the way we think and live, in our relationship to God and to our neighbors," with these words, His Holiness addressed the Bulgarian people and wished them " Merry Christmas and a peaceful, gracious and salvific New Year".