Reception of Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria at the Vatopedi Orthodox Monastery

According to the Athonite order, the reception of His Beatitude Patriarch of Bulgaria, Mr. Daniel, at the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi took place on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The Primate of the Church of Bulgaria and his entourage were welcomed by the Abbot of the Holy Monastery, Elder Ephraim, together with the Vatopedi brotherhood. Immediately after the reception, a Doxology was celebrated upon the arrival of His Beatitude at the Catholicos of the Monastery. Then, His Beatitude was addressed with a heartfelt speech by the Abbot of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, Elder Ephraim, who referred to the strong spiritual ties that connect the Monastery with the Church of Bulgaria, making special mention of the blessed Metropolitan of Nevrokopi, Mr. Nathanael, with whom he shared a close spiritual relationship. In his response, the Patriarch of Bulgaria, Mr. Daniel, thanked Elder Ephraim for the cordial welcome and expressed his joy for the blessing of venerating the holy relics of our faith and referred to the multifaceted work of the Monastery. Subsequently, everyone went to the Synod of the Monastery, where the customary Athonite feast was served and cordial greetings were exchanged. The visit of Patriarch Daniel to the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi concluded with a brief conversation with the monastic brotherhood and the pilgrims.