Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel has visited Mount Athos, Greece’s renowned monastic peninsula, marking the first visit by a head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in nearly 50 years, according to the Bulgarian Church’s official website.

The previous visit by a Bulgarian patriarch to the monastic republic took place in the 1970s, when Patriarch Maxim traveled to the Holy Mountain.

During his visit, Patriarch Daniel toured several monasteries, including Iviron and Zografou, two important centers of Orthodox monastic life with longstanding ties to Bulgaria.

At Iviron Monastery, the patriarch prayed before the miraculous icon of the Mother of God known as Portaitissa, or the Gatekeeper, asking for the protection of the Bulgarian people. The monastery’s abbot, Archimandrite Nathanael, presented him with a copy of the revered icon.

At Zografou Monastery, Patriarch Daniel was welcomed by the abbot, Archimandrite Gabriel, and the monastic brotherhood. He venerated the monastery’s miraculous icons of St. George and the relics of saints. His itinerary also included a visit to the monastic cell of Bourazeri, known for its icon-painting traditions and spiritual and educational activities.

The first stop on the patriarch’s journey was Karyes, the administrative center of Mount Athos. There, he met representatives of the Holy Community, the governing body of the monastic republic, and prayed at the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God before the icon Axion Estin (“It Is Truly Meet”).

The central events of the visit are dedicated to commemorating the 26 Zografou martyrs. Patriarch Daniel is scheduled to preside over an all-night vigil beginning on October 22, followed by a festive Divine Liturgy at Zografou Monastery.

The patriarch is accompanied by Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop and Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa, along with other representatives of the Bulgarian clergy.

During meetings with the monastic community, participants emphasized the historic and spiritual bonds between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Mount Athos. Patriarch Daniel highlighted the importance of the Holy Mountain’s sacred sites and the centuries-old tradition of Bulgarian pilgrims and benefactors supporting its monasteries.

The visit underscores the enduring relationship between Bulgaria and the Athonite monastic community, whose religious heritage continues to hold a special place in Bulgarian Orthodox life.