Varna, August 24, 2011
A delegation of the Metropolia in Kazakhstan, led by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan was on a visit to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Metropolia of Varna from August 11 to 18, 2011, with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
They visited Orthodox holy places in the diocese of Varna and took part in the celebrations marking the 132nd anniversary of the Bulgarian Navy. The celebrations were led by President Georgi Parvanov. The guests met with Kazakhstan Charge d’ Affaires T. Izbastin and Russian Consul General in Varna Yu. Solovyev.
On August 15, the Day of the Assumption, Metropolitan Cyril of Varna, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Bishop Ioann, Vicar of Varna, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Varna.
Among the participants in the procession with the cross as the main part of the City Day celebrations traditionally held on the Assumption Day in Varna, were Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Defence Minister Anu Angelov, Rear Admiral Plamen Manushev, Varna Mayor Kiril Jordanov and other officials.
On August 16, there were celebrations marking the 160th anniversary of the Cathedral of the Assumption in Trgovisce. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Cyril of Varna, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Bishop Ioann, Vicar of Varna.
On August 19, the Day of the Holy Transfiguration, Metropolitan Alexander celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the church of St. Nicholas the Wonder-Worker, Sofia Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Later that day Metropolitan Alexander visited the Russian Embassy in Sofia where he and his delegation were received by Russian Charge d’Affaires A. Shapel.
On August 20, the delegation of the Metropolia in Kazakhstan was received by His Holiness Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria. Metropolitan Alexander told him about the Kazakhstan delegation’s participation in the celebration in the Metropolia of Varna and informed His Holiness about the situation of Orthodoxy in Kazakhstan and the establishment of the Metropolia of Kazakhstan as a new canonical structure of the Russian Orthodox Church. He also congratulated Patriarch Maxim on the 40th anniversary of his enthronement and presented him with an icon of the Fyodorovskaya Mother of God. Participating in the meeting was also Hegumen Philip (Vasiltsev), representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Bulgaria.
Website of the Metropolia in Kazakhstan
