''The Church's vocation is to bring together those who are divided'', the newly-elected Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil said before his first Holy Mass. ''Today is a special day as we celebrate the translation of the relics of St. John of Rila to the Rila Monastery in 1469. The Rila Monastery is the first Bulgarian national institution to be revived after Bulgaria fell under Ottoman rule", Patriarch Daniil said.

He also commented on the decision of Father Nicanor from the Giginski Monastery to retire to Mount Athos due to disagreement with the newly elected Patriarch. "We are first and foremost human beings, and it is good to communicate face-to-face rather than through Facebook", Patriarch Daniil added.