site.btaPatriarch, Sofia Mayor, Sofia University Rector Head Academic Procession on National Awakeners' Day

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev and the Rector of St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Prof. Georgi Vulchev, headed the higher educational institution’s procession on Friday, National Awakeners’ Day.

With the laying of flowers in front of the monuments to the brothers Evlogy and Hristo Georgiev, the patron of the Alma Mater St. Clement Ohridski, St. Paisii of Chilandar, Ilarion of Makariopol and the grave of writer Ivan Vazov, the university leadership, the Academic Council and representatives of the academia celebrated the Day of the National Awakeners. The academic procession started from the main entrance of Sofia University Rectorate.

Taking a question what he would like to say to young people and Bulgarians in general on National Awakeners’ Day, Prof. Vulchev said he appealed for a return to true values in human life, one of which is education.

"On this day, we should be aware that what we are today, we owe to generations of Bulgarians who worked before us. This should also be a day of humility, of respect for the many people who, more prominently or more covertly, fading into the background, have done their work", said the Rector of Sofia University.

Patriarch Daniil delivered a speech in front of the monument to Ivan Vazov.

At the end of the procession, near the Synodal Palace, His Holiness responded to journalists' questions related to the Day of the National Awakeners and the fact that many of Bulgaria's literary figures were clergymen and saints. “Many of the bright people we honor as national awakeners are saints who shone in sanctified glory,” Patriarch Daniil said.