In the German city of Mainz, a solemn Divine Holy Liturgy was served, dedicated to the memory of Saint Martyr Paraskeva of Rome and the Hieromartyr Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates. The event was organized by the newly established Bulgarian Orthodox Church Parish "Presentation of the Virgin".
On July 26, Orthodox Christians honored the memory of Saint Paraskeva - a young woman from Rome who dedicated her life to faith and Christian service. Her story is associated with an exceptional spiritual feat during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius, when Christians were subjected to cruel persecutions.
Paraskeva, who lived as a nun, refused to bow to pagan gods and the imperial cult. Her unwavering resolve led to brutal torture, which failed to shake her faith. Ultimately, she was beheaded for her firm Christian conviction.
Parallel to her story, the liturgy also marked the memory of the Hieromartyr Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates from Nicomedia. These presbyters became victims during the persecution of Christians in 303, after helping the physician Panteleemon accept Christianity.
The church parish "Presentation of the Virgin" is the youngest Orthodox parish in Germany, founded on February 24, 2024. Despite its short existence, it has already established itself as an important spiritual center for the Bulgarian community in the region.
During the first temple feast on November 23, 2024, the liturgy was led by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe, Antony. He was accompanied by Archpriest Yulia Angelov, Priest Milcho Marinov, and Archpriest Vasil Bechevski.
The chairman of the church parish, lawyer Georg Zhivkov, welcomed the hierarchs and presented the activities of the new parish. The main mission of the community is to provide spiritual support and be a home for Bulgarians in this region of Germany.
The liturgy in the temple at Mercatorstraße 18, 55127 in Mainz was an emotional and significant event for the Orthodox Bulgarian community, symbolizing the continuation of spiritual tradition far from the homeland.