Bulgarian Patriarch and Sofia Metropolitan Daniel has presided over a festive Divine Liturgy at the Troyan Monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God in honor of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God known as “The Three-Handed.”

The celebration took place on July 12 at the historic monastery, one of Bulgaria’s most important Orthodox spiritual centers, according to the Bulgarian news agency BTA.

Joining Patriarch Daniel at the service were Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech, Bishop Vassiliy of Dragovitia, the abbot of Troyan Monastery, and other clergy members. The celebrations began the previous evening with an all-night vigil.

In his address to worshippers after the liturgy, Patriarch Daniel spoke about the spiritual significance of the “Three-Handed” icon, saying it reflects the deep faith of the Virgin Mary, who accepted God’s plan for the salvation of humanity through the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

“The Mother of God had the spiritual conditions to accept this faith. She had purity of heart and love for God. This is what allows the Lord to reveal and enlighten our minds,” the patriarch said.

Patriarch Daniel emphasized that true faith is not merely a set of beliefs or knowledge but must be expressed through a person’s actions and love toward others.

“Our faith is not something theoretical. If it is not applied in our lives, if it is not absorbed into our daily existence, it is empty,” he said.

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God “The Three-Handed” is considered the main shrine of Troyan Monastery. According to Orthodox tradition, the icon was brought to the monastery from Mount Athos in the 17th century by a monk named Christopher. Since then, it has been venerated as the protector of the monastery, with many believers associating it with accounts of divine assistance and healing.

The icon’s unusual name comes from the depiction of a third hand belonging to the Virgin Mary. Church tradition connects this image with a miracle involving Saint John of Damascus, a theologian and defender of the veneration of icons. According to tradition, after praying before an icon of the Mother of God, his severed hand was restored. In gratitude, Saint John placed an image of a third hand on the icon.

Patriarch Daniel referred to this story in his sermon, highlighting the example of Saint John of Damascus as a lesson in humility, prayer and faithfulness.

The Troyan Monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God is one of the largest and most renowned Orthodox monasteries in Bulgaria. It is considered the third-largest monastery in the country after the Rila and Bachkovo monasteries.

Located in the Balkan Mountains near the town of Troyan, the monastery has served for centuries as a center of spiritual life, culture and the preservation of Bulgarian traditions. Its main church is decorated with frescoes by the celebrated 19th-century Bulgarian artist Zahari Zograf.

The monastery also holds a significant place in Bulgarian history. In 1872, national hero Vasil Levski found refuge there and established a local revolutionary committee within the monastery.

Today, Troyan Monastery remains a major pilgrimage destination, attracting thousands of faithful each year. On the feast day of the “Three-Handed” icon, pilgrims from across Bulgaria gather to pray before one of the country’s most revered religious treasures.

Concluding his sermon, Patriarch Daniel expressed his hope that the monastery would continue to serve as a place of spiritual support and guidance.

He prayed that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, God would preserve people “in the unity of faith” and guide them along the path of love for God and the pursuit of salvation.