Patriarch Daniil held a prayer service for healthcare workers at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

12.05.2026 | Religion and spirituality

On the occasion of International Nurses Day, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church offered prayerful support for medical professionals and expressed concern regarding staffing shortages.

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Prayer Service for Orthodox Healthcare Workers

Today, at the St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia, Daniil, officiated a solemn prayer service for Orthodox healthcare workers. The event was organized to mark International Nurses Day, May 12th.

"Florence Nightingale brought about a true revolution in the care of wounded and sick soldiers during the Crimean War," the Military Medical Academy (MMA) recalls.

The initiative for an annual prayer service was started by the head of the MMA, Major General Prof. Dr. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski. The clergy expressed their support for medical professionals against the backdrop of: