Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, also Metropolitan of Sofia, received a ceremonial welcome in Bethlehem during his first official visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Bulgarian Patriarchate said.

The welcoming ceremony took place in the square outside the Basilica of the Nativity. A special prayer service was held in honor of the Bulgarian patriarch. The service is traditionally conducted only on the eve of Christmas, but was held on this occasion to mark Daniel’s visit.

Daniel was welcomed by Metropolitan Benedict of Diocaesarea, members of the brotherhood serving at the Basilica of the Nativity, local clergy and representatives of the authorities. After entering the church, the patriarch and his delegation venerated the site traditionally identified by Christians as the cave where Jesus Christ was born.

“In a world torn by conflicts, love must remain a Christian witness,” Patriarch Daniel said during the visit.

Following his visit to Bethlehem, the Bulgarian patriarch traveled to the ancient Lavra of St. Sabbas the Sanctified. He was received there by the monastery’s abbot, Archimandrite Eudokim, and the monastic community.

The Bulgarian delegation venerated the relics of St. Sabbas and visited caves associated with ascetic saints, including St. John of Damascus. Daniel described the monastery visit as a great blessing and wished the monks God’s help and protection.

Earlier in his pilgrimage, the patriarch visited the Mount of Olives and the traditional site of Christ’s Ascension, the Russian Convent of St. Mary Magdalene and Gethsemane, where the Tomb of the Mother of God is located.

Patriarch Daniel arrived in Israel on September 25 at the invitation of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. His visit is scheduled to continue through September 30 and coincides with celebrations of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The Bulgarian delegation also took part in a service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Orthodox Christians commemorate on this occasion the consecration of the church, which took place in the fourth century during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great.