On March 18, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria welcomed the Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republic of Bulgaria, Yosef Levi Sfari.
The meeting occurred at the Sofia Metropolis headquarters, with Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, in attendance.
Patriarch Daniel highlighted the significant historical role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the bravery and spiritual wisdom displayed by Bulgarian hierarchs in rescuing thousands of Jews from Nazi death camps during World War II.
Ambassador Sfari expressed deep gratitude for the chance to meet with Patriarch Daniel, acknowledging the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s crucial role in saving Bulgarian Jews. He also emphasized the strong spiritual connections between Bulgaria and Israel.
Both parties agreed on the importance of commemorating history, particularly in times of crisis and difficulty, to prevent past errors and promote global peace and reconciliation. They stressed the need to strive towards resolving global conflicts and fostering unity and love among all people.
At the end of the meeting, gifts were exchanged as a gesture of mutual respect.
Text and photos: Sofia Metropolis