On the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” His Holiness Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, Metropolitan of Sofia, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and a special prayer service for children with disabilities and their families at the Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in Sofia.

The annual service, established by a 2018 decision of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, is dedicated to offering prayers for children with disabilities and those who care for them, coinciding with the Church’s commemoration of the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow.”

Concelebrating with Patriarch Daniel were the parish rector, Archpriest Georgi Yanakov, and clergy of the Sofia Diocese. The hymns of Matins were performed by seminarians from the St. John of Rila Theological Seminary, while the church choir sang during the Liturgy. Afterward, the Patriarch led a supplicatory prayer for the children and their families.

In his address to the faithful, Patriarch Daniel emphasized the spiritual meaning of the day:

“Today we pray that the Mother of God may cover all suffering children with her holy veil and grant patience to their parents, so that they may care for their children with comfort and love.”

The Patriarch spoke about the redemptive purpose of human suffering, reminding believers that it can lead to spiritual healing and renewal:

“As Orthodox Christians, we know that suffering has a purpose. The Lord allows burdens, but He also saves. The greatest suffering for man is separation from God — spiritual death. From this come all illnesses and sorrows. The way to overcome suffering is to return to God.”

He also noted that families raising children with disabilities can experience profound spiritual transformation:

“When parents accept their cross with faith and love, the whole family is changed. We see how God works through suffering — not as punishment, but as a path to purification and salvation.”

Patriarch Daniel expressed concern over the growing acceptance of euthanasia in Western countries, warning that rejecting the meaning of suffering leads to despair:

“It is frightening when a person suffers and does not know why. But we, as Orthodox Christians, understand suffering as a journey toward God, as the purification of our hearts. Therefore, we do not despair, but place our hope and trust in the Lord.”