Hierarch of Russian Orthodox Church takes part in consecration of cathedral in Bulgarian Ruse

Sunday, September 10, 2017 – The Grand Consecration of the Cathedral of All Saints took place in the city of Ruse, Bulgaria. The consecration was presided over by Metropolitan Naum of Ruse. He was assisted by Metropolitan Longin of Saratov and Volsk and bishops and clergy from the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Metropolia of Western and Central Europe, the Metropolia of Sofia and the Metropolia of Ruse. Among the concelebrants was Archpriest Vladislav Tsypin, professor at Moscow Theological Academy.

The Patriarchal metochion was represented by its rector, Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev).

After a procession with the cross and holy relics, Metropolitan Longin celebrated the consecration of the bells of the new cathedral – a gift from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to the Metropolia of Ruse.

Laid in the altar of the new church were parts of the relics of Protomartyr Panteleimon, and Martyrs Theodore of Tyron and Terentius.

After the consecration, the bishops and clergy came out to meet His Holiness Neophytos, Patriarch of Bulgaria.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan Naum.

Present in the church were Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Director of the Department of Ecclesiastical Matters Emil Velinov, Ruse Mayor Plamen Stoilov, Ruse Governor Galin Grigorov, as well as benefactors, representatives of the city public and cultural organizations, pilgrims and numerous parishioners.

In memory of the historic event, the Primate of the Bulgarian Church presented Metropolitan Naum with a bishop’s pectoral icon, which belonged to the late Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria, and a shrine with a part of the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called.

Metropolitan Naum presented Patriarch Neophytos with the Metropolia of Ruse’s Order of St. Demetrius of Basarabia, First Degree.

Metropolitan Longin of Saratov and Volsk was awarded the Order of St. Demetrius of Basarabia, Second Degree.

Then His Eminence Naum addressed Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, through whose efforts the construction and decoration of the church was completed and, on behalf of the clergy and flock of the Metropolia of Ruse, presented him with a mosaic icon with the image of Jesus Christ. Mr. Borisov presented the new church with an icon of the Holy Tsar Boris the Baptizer.

Metropolitan Longin conveyed greetings form His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on the occasion of the festivity and expressed a wish that the newly-consecrated church might stand unshakable to the end of time.

Then Metropolitan Naum and Mr. Borisov opened the commemorative slabs instilled in the western part of the church in memory of the event, the ROC representation in Sofia reports.

Source: mospat.ru