Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Renovated Bulgarian St. Stephen Church in Istanbul solemnly opened

| updated on 1/7/18 11:06 AM
Photo: Alexander Velev

With a solemn ceremony by Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the renovated Bulgarian church "St. Stephen" in Istanbul, also known as the Iron Church, has been solemnly reopened.

Before that the patriarchs blessed the church that had undergone complete renovation, which took 7 years. Bulgarian delegation, headed by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, was present at the official ceremony. In front of the Christian temple, Borissov met the Turkish delegation, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Earlier on Sunday, asked by reporters if the road of Turkey to Europe passed through Bulgaria, Prime Minister Borissov said that peace and improvement of relations between Turkey and Europe provided solutions to many issues and Bulgaria, which has taken the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, could help for that.

In his speech during the opening of the renovated St. Stephen's Church, Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte said that its renewing was reached "thanks to the good neighborly relations and the fruitful cooperation between the two countries and between Orthodox churches."

In Istanbul, Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew are also to discuss the question of the autocephalousness of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Petition calls for the establishment of the first marine reserve in Bulgaria

On October 31, we celebrate the International Black Sea Day. It aims to draw public attention to the problems of the sea and the ways to protect it, to ensure a better future for 16 million people from six countries living along the Black Sea coast...

published on 10/31/24 7:50 AM

Central Election Commission announces final distribution of seats in the 51st National Assembly

The Central Election Commission has announced the final distribution of seats in the 51 st National Assembly after the early election for parliament held in Bulgaria on 27 October. Eight parties enter parliament, Kamelia Neykova, chair of the..

published on 10/31/24 6:54 AM

Weather forecast: The last day of October will be warm and sunny

On Thursday morning visibility will be diminished in some valleys and parts of the lowlands. Along the Danube there will be fog. Minimum temperatures 4-9° C., for Sofia 5° C. During the day there will be sun. Daytime highs will reach 17-22° C.,..

published on 10/30/24 6:15 PM