Meeting of the Patriarch of Bulgaria with the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain and visit to the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Essex
On February 22, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria and the accompanying church delegation made a pilgrimage to the Orthodox Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Essex, England.
The monastery was founded by St. Sophrony Sakharov in 1959 and falls under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It is home to monks and nuns from more than 13 nationalities.
The Patriarch was accompanied by Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe, Metropolitan Pakhomiy of Vidin, as well as Bishop Gerasimos of Melenik and Bishop Meletios of Znepol. Also in the delegation were Archimandrites Dobromir Dimitrov and Julian Angelov, Deacon Angel Vodenicharov, the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United Kingdom, Mr. Tihomir Stoichev, and others.
The Primate of the Bulgarian Church was solemnly welcomed at the entrance of the monastery by the abbot, Archimandrite Peter, together with the brotherhood and pilgrims. A doxology was then held in the monastery’s central church. In the chapel of “All Saints” above the monastery’s burial crypt, a memorial service (Trisagion) was conducted. The Patriarch and his entourage had the opportunity to visit the cell where St. Sophrony lived, as well as the newly built church dedicated to him.
The monastery’s brotherhood also hosted a festive meal for the pilgrims. The Patriarch expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the warm hospitality, emphasising that it is a great blessing and inspiration for every Christian to venerate a place where a Spirit-bearing saint recently lived. At the end, commemorative gifts were exchanged.
Official Dinner in Honour of Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria in London
On the evening of Sunday, 23rd February 2025, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, under the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas, hosted a formal dinner in honour of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniil of All Bulgaria at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
The gathering, held following the historic consecration of St. John of Rila Bulgarian Orthodox Church, was a moment of celebration, gratitude, and fraternal exchange. The evening brought together clergy and faithful from across Orthodox traditions, including the Bulgarian clergy of the Archdiocese, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as newly illumined Orthodox Christians and members of the local community who wished to pay tribute to the Patriarch.
In his address, Archbishop Nikitas expressed his deep respect for Patriarch Daniil, highlighting the shared spiritual mission of Orthodox communities in the United Kingdom and reaffirming the strong ties between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. His Eminence stressed the importance of unity in faith and the collective responsibility of Orthodox leaders in ministering to their flocks with love and dedication.
Patriarch Daniil, in turn, expressed his gratitude to the Archdiocese and Archbishop Nikitas for the warm welcome and hospitality, reflecting on the historic significance of the first Bulgarian Orthodox church in the UK and the role of Orthodox communities in strengthening the faith of their people.
The evening concluded with the exchange of gifts between the hierarchs. This special occasion further demonstrated the commitment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain to fostering inter-Orthodox unity, collaboration, and pastoral care for all Orthodox faithful in the United Kingdom.
Source: Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain
