Patriarch Daniel: New Message on the Church Year, Faith, and Hope

Announcing the beginning of the new church year, known as the indiction, Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniel has sent an official circular message to the flock. The message, distributed by the Sofia Metropolitanate, sets a tone of reflection and spiritual renewal for all Orthodox Christians within the diocese.

In his address, filled with pastoral care, Patriarch Daniel expressed his most heartfelt wishes to the faithful. "On the first day of the indiction, we turn to all of you with archpastoral blessing, paternal love, and prayerful wishes for spiritual and physical health, grace, peace, and joy from the Holy Spirit in every Christian heart, in every Christian home, church, and monastic holy обител in the borders of the God-protected Sofia diocese," part of the message reads. He emphasized that like every beginning, that of the new liturgical year brings with it faith and new hope for the individual believer, for the entire Holy Orthodox Church, for society, and for the whole country. "May this beginning be blessed and full of grace!" the patriarch called.

A Call to Spiritual Renewal and Becoming Like Christ

At the heart of his message, His Holiness directed the attention of the faithful to the deep meaning of the church calendar. He explained that this cycle, composed by the God-bearing fathers and teachers of the Church, was created to constantly remind us of the most important goal of human life: to become like Jesus Christ. The patriarch clarified that Christ shared our life so that we too can participate in His, and defeat death, which Saint Paul the Apostle calls "the last enemy." This idea is the foundation of the Christian faith – liberation from sin and death, and the reception of eternal life. Patriarch Daniel quoted the evangelist John to strengthen his message: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Life in Light and a Concrete Faith

The patriarch called on the faithful to live and act as "children of light," becoming witnesses of Christ and preachers of the Gospel. He encouraged everyone to make an effort to correct what they have not succeeded in so far, acting "not as unwise, but as wise," and valuing the time, because, as the apostle notes, "the days are evil."

In his message, he emphasized that the Christian faith is not abstract or theoretical, but is a living principle of existence, expressed through purity of thoughts and active love and mercy. "It is authentic only when it finds expression in the purity of our thoughts and in active love and mercy towards all people, and especially towards the suffering and the oppressed, the wronged and the hopeless," the patriarch explained. He reminded that common prayer for world peace and the salvation of every human being is a fundamental element of this ministry.

A Call to Unity and Holy Communion

The culmination of the message is the call for regular attendance at the house of God and participation in Holy Communion, which is the Sacrament of Sacraments. Patriarch Daniel emphasized that through the Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion, Christ is truly present among us, turning the faithful into a "living God-man community – the people of God." He pointed out that in the Holy Church, disagreements are overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit, but also with the good will of people who are inseparable members of one Body, one family. "May the New Church Year be a year of unity and like-mindedness in Christ for us!" the patriarch wished. He concludes with a solemn blessing: "The love of God and great mercy, and the communion in the Holy Spirit be with all of us! A happy and blessed new church year - beginning of the indiction!"