Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil has called for greater spiritual unity between the peoples of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, emphasizing that their shared Christian heritage should serve as a foundation for mutual understanding rather than division.

The appeal came during celebrations marking the feast day of Saint Naum of Ohrid, one of the most revered figures in medieval Slavic Christianity. According to a statement published by the Sofia Metropolitanate on June 20, the patriarch delivered the message during a festive Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Naum of Ohrid in Sofia.

In his sermon, Patriarch Daniil reflected on the life and legacy of Saint Naum, a close disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius and a key figure in the development of Slavic literacy and Christian education. He noted that Naum played an important role in spreading Christian worship in the Slavic language, assisting in the translation of Holy Scripture, and helping to shape the literary language used throughout the Slavic world.

The patriarch recalled that after the expulsion of the disciples of Cyril and Methodius from Great Moravia in the late ninth century, Saint Naum found support in Bulgaria under Tsar Boris I. There, he continued his missionary and educational work before later founding the renowned monastery on the shores of Lake Ohrid, located in present-day North Macedonia.

Saint Naum is widely honored as one of the founders of the Ohrid Literary School, which became one of the most important spiritual and educational centers in the medieval Balkans. His monastery, which houses his relics, remains a major pilgrimage destination for Orthodox Christians.

Patriarch Daniil said Saint Naum’s legacy carries particular significance today because it is cherished by both Bulgarians and the people of North Macedonia.

“Today, the place of Saint Naum’s ministry and repose is located in another state. Yet his work testifies to the unity of our people and the people living in North Macedonia, because we all honor Saint Naum as an enlightener of our nation,” the patriarch said.

He expressed regret over recurring disputes and mutual grievances between the two neighboring countries and urged believers to remember their common spiritual roots.

“If we are all children of Saint Naum and Saint Clement, it is impossible for hostility to remain between us. We should be united by the faith and love of Christ, not by confrontation,” he stated.

The head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church also devoted part of his sermon to contemporary spiritual challenges. While noting that the Bulgarian people had preserved their faith through centuries of history, he warned that many individuals today are increasingly distancing themselves from religious and moral values.

According to Patriarch Daniil, life without clear moral guidance can lead to anxiety, fear, social fragmentation, and personal crises. He expressed particular concern about young people, saying that many seek meaning in pursuits and addictions that can ultimately prove destructive.

Drawing a parallel with Saint Naum’s missionary work more than a thousand years ago, the patriarch argued that modern society is once again in need of spiritual enlightenment and a renewed commitment to moral principles.

Concluding his address, Patriarch Daniil expressed hope that Saint Naum’s prayers would help believers in their daily lives and contribute to the preservation of peace, mutual respect, and unity among peoples connected by a shared Christian heritage.