His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria led the celebrations marking the 113th anniversary of the liberation of Razlog from Ottoman rule, making his first official visit to the town as head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The solemn festivities began with a Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, concelebrated by Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop, local clergy, and representatives of the Nevrokop Diocese. Following the service, a memorial was held in honor of those who died for Bulgaria’s freedom, along with a thanksgiving prayer for the liberation.

In his address, Patriarch Daniil emphasized the vital role of faith in preserving Bulgarian national and spiritual identity through centuries of foreign domination.

“Only a people who feel free in spirit can endure five hundred years of bondage and rise again,” he said. “Our faith is the foundation of our identity as Bulgarians. If you remove faith from our history and culture, almost nothing remains.”

He went on to stress that the liberation of Razlog was not only a political or military event, but a spiritual victory born out of faith, courage, and the people’s deep desire for freedom—coming more than three decades after the Russo-Turkish War.

The patriarch urged the citizens of Razlog to cherish and safeguard their spiritual freedom, using it wisely to follow the path of goodness and salvation.

Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop expressed gratitude for the patriarch’s visit, noting its historical significance.

“For the first time in modern history, the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is present at the commemoration of the liberation of the Pirin region. It is a great honor to pray together not only for the living, but also for those who gave their lives for our faith and freedom,” he said.