On Saturday, 13/26 September 2026, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia, who is making a “peaceful” visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, accompanied by his entourage, visited, together with representatives of our Patriarchate, namely the Patriarchal Commissioner, His Eminence Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias, and the Elder Kamarasis, Archimandrite Nectarios, the site of the Ascension of the Lord on the Mount of Olives and the Holy Monastery of the Ascension. He subsequently visited the Holy Monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene of the Russians (ROCOR), where he was received by the Superior of this Church in the Holy Land, Archimandrite Romanos.
His Beatitude the Patriarch of Bulgaria then visited and venerated the Tomb of the Theotokos at Gethsemane, in the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, where he was received, in accordance with the Status Quo, with an official pilgrimage reception, under the hospitality, care and responsibility of the Hegumen, His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Helenopolis.
Thereafter, His Beatitude, accompanied by his entourage, crossed the border checkpoint near Rachel’s Tomb and visited the God-receiving Grotto in the Basilica of Bethlehem. Here he was received with an official reception, as on the day of Christmas, and was addressed by the Patriarchal Commissioner, His Eminence Metropolitan Benedictos of Diosaecarea, together with the Brotherhood of the Basilica of Bethlehem, the Priests of the Bethlehem area, the Shepherds’ Field and Beit Jala, and representatives of the Local Authorities.
Upon His Beatitude’s official entrance into the Basilica, a Doxology was celebrated, followed by a supplication in the God-receiving Grotto. At midday, lunch was hosted for His Beatitude at the “Angelo” Hotel by the Rum Orthodox Mr Athanasios Abu-Aeta.
Continuing his pilgrimage, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria visited the historic Holy Lavra of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, where he was received by the Spiritual Father of the Monastery, the Reverend Archimandrite Eudokimos, and the Brotherhood of Saint Sabbas, and venerated the holy relics of the Saint.
Concluding this visit and giving glory to God for this ecclesiastical communion, His Beatitude returned to his hotel to rest in preparation for his participation in tomorrow’s Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross.
From the Chief Secretariat
