Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel made a goodwill visit to Jerusalem

From September 25 to 27, 2026, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria paid an official goodwill visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. During the trip, the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church visited key holy sites in the Holy Land and called for the strengthening of church unity in the face of modern challenges. According to Orthodoxia News Agency, the visit culminated in Patriarch Daniel concelebrating with Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

As part of the visit’s extensive program, Patriarch Daniel visited Gethsemane, where he venerated the Shrine of the Most Holy Mother of God, and also visited the Mount of Olives, at the Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene and at the historic Lavra of St. Savvas the Sanctified. Addressing the faithful in Gethsemane, His Holiness emphasized that faith and love for Christ are stronger than any divisions, and called on Christians to preserve the unity of the Church, following the example of the patience of the Mother of God and the apostles.

Special attention was given during the trip to Bethlehem, where a solemn service was celebrated in the Basilica of the Nativity. The Patriarch noted that in a world currently plagued by numerous conflicts, it is especially important to remember the call for peace proclaimed by the angels on Christmas night. Concluding the program at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the delegation traveled to Jordan to continue the visit and meet with King Abdullah II.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church had officially invited Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Bulgaria in October of this year.