| Bulgarian Patriarchate
His Holiness The Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte met today Her Excellency Eleonora Mitrofanova, Ambassador of Russia to Bulgaria.
The reception took place in the building of the Metropolis of Sofia, Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Head secretary of the Holy Synod, and Bishop Polykarp of Belogradchik, Vicar of the Metropolitan of Sofia, also took part in the meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, Her Excellency conveyed the fraternal greeting of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow to the Bulgarian Patriarch, wishing him good health and spiritual strength in the archpastoral ministry, as well as a joyful celebration of Christmas and New Year.
Eleonora Mitrofanova also drew attention to the traditionally good relations between the Bulgarian and Russian Orthodox Churches, as well as to the historical ties that connect not only the two local churches, but also the two countries.
During the meeting, a number of topics related to the celebration of major anniversaries were raised, such as the 120th anniversary of the consecration of the Church of "The Nativity of Christ" in Shipka, which will be celebrated next year. Opportunities for the development of pilgrimage tourism were also discussed at the meeting.
Her Excellency also sent an official invitation to Patriarch Neophyte and the Metropolitans of Holy Synod of the BOC-BP to take part in the consecration of the church "St. Cyprian of Kiev and Moscow" in Moscow, also scheduled for next year. We remind you that on July 25, 2013, His Holiness Patriarch Neophyte laid the foundation stone of the temple in the Russian capital.
Hope was also expressed for the continuation of the cooperation on the restoration activities to be carried out in the "St. Alexander Nevsky" Cathedral .
The meeting ended with a wish for a joyful and gracious celebration of Christmas, as well as a hope for a healthier and happier New Year.
