On February 14, Metropolitan Damaskinos of Didymoteicho visited the central Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Ivaylovgrad, Bulgaria, where Bishop Polykarpos of Belogradchik, Assistant Bishop of the Holy Metropolis of Plovdiv, presided over the Divine Liturgy. The occasion marked the traditional celebration of Saint Tryphon, observed annually on February 1, according to the Julian calendar, and serves as a major festivity for the city.
The small town of Ivaylovgrad, situated just 4 km from the Greek-Bulgarian border, holds historical significance, as it was once part of the Metropolis of Lititsa under the Ecumenical Patriarchate until World War I. At that time, it was home to Greek populations, who, following the area’s cession to Bulgaria, relocated as refugees to Greece, settling in Drama and the wider region of Macedonia.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the celebration continued with a procession, a prayer in the central square, a symbolic vineyard pruning, and traditional dances.
During his visit, Metropolitan Damaskinos and his delegation engaged in cordial discussions with Bishop Polykarpos, who is learning Greek, and with Ivaylovgrad’s Mayor, Diana Ovchazova. The Metropolitan extended his best wishes to the city’s celebrants and emphasized the importance of strengthening the historic ties and friendships between the Greek and Bulgarian people.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas