Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniel celebrated the Divine Liturgy on December 14 at the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Gorna-Malina, near Sofia. Following the service, he addressed worshippers with a sermon focused on preparation for Christmas and the deeper meaning of Christian life, according to the website of the Sofia Metropolis.

The primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church stressed that during the Nativity Fast believers should “look into their hearts” and examine whether faith is being displaced by everyday concerns and the pursuit of material well-being. He said that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is “incomparable to any value of this world,” which is temporary, while Christ “abides forever.”

In his sermon, Patriarch Daniel recalled key Old Testament narratives — from the story of Cain and Abel to the prophets and the Babylonian captivity — emphasizing that salvation is rooted in trust in God and obedience to His will. Referring to the Gospel parable of those invited to the banquet, he noted that people often decline participation in worship and church life because of attachment to routine affairs and entertainment.

“Nothing in this world can compare with what the Lord calls us to — participation in worship and communion with God,” the patriarch said.

During the liturgy, many parishioners received Holy Communion, and two local residents were ordained as church readers and singers. Clergy of the Sofia Diocese, representatives of local authorities, and members of the military took part in the service. Church hymns were performed by a choir conducted by Svetoslav Tsekov, with children from the parish rehabilitation center also joining in the singing.

The Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos was built in 1920, restored in 2014, and holds the status of a cultural monument of local significance. Its grounds host the St. John of Rila Church Center for Social Rehabilitation and Integration — one of the first initiatives of its kind in Bulgaria. The center provides assistance to children and adults with disabilities and special educational needs, combining medical, social, and spiritual support.

At the conclusion of the visit, parish representatives and the mayor of the Gorna-Malina municipality thanked Patriarch Daniel for the service and for his attention to the life of the local community.