Bulgaria marked the 141st anniversary of the country’s Unification on September 6, commemorating the 1885 incorporation of Eastern Rumelia into the Principality of Bulgaria, a milestone in the formation of the modern Bulgarian state.

The anniversary was observed with festive and memorial church services across the country. Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria and other bishops used the occasion to call for unity among the Bulgarian people and in society, linking the historical achievement with the Christian values of peace, mutual assistance and reconciliation.

In Sofia, Patriarch Daniel celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Michael the Archangel. In his address, he described the Unification as an “act of love,” emphasizing the desire of Bulgarians to overcome division and live together as one people.

The patriarch connected the historical pursuit of national unity with the Christian call to peace and mutual support. He urged believers to set an example by living without hostility, helping people facing difficulties and ensuring that social disagreements do not turn into hatred.

Varna and Veliki Preslav Metropolitan John also highlighted the “spirit of unity” as a key lesson of the historic event. In Varna, he led a memorial prayer for those who died in the Serbo-Bulgarian War while defending the Unification before delivering a commemorative address.

The metropolitan urged Bulgarians to preserve both social and church unity, recalling the Gospel appeal: “That they all may be one.” He said the memory of the Unification should encourage contemporary society to consider whether it is being guided by unity or division.

In Plovdiv, Metropolitan Nikolay celebrated a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God. He stressed that social unity cannot be achieved without people coming together around Christian values, mutual respect and love. He also emphasized the importance of peacemaking, calling on people to become those who bring peace to others.

Following the thanksgiving service, Metropolitan Nikolay celebrated a memorial service for Gavril Krastevich, a statesman who played a prominent role in Bulgaria’s national movement and in preparing the conditions for the Unification.

The church commemorations across Bulgaria presented the anniversary not only as a remembrance of a defining moment in the country’s history, but also as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of solidarity, peace and overcoming divisions in contemporary society.