Bulgaria marked the 148th anniversary of its Liberation Day with solemn church services and official ceremonies in the capital, Sofia.

The commemorations began with a memorial prayer for all those who died for the country’s freedom, followed by a thanksgiving service. The liturgy was led by Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Clergy from the Russian and Romanian Orthodox Churches serving in Bulgaria also took part in the service.

In his address, the Patriarch emphasized that the road to freedom was “neither short nor easy,” spanning centuries — from the first uprisings following the سقوط of the medieval Bulgarian kingdoms to the April Uprising of 1876. He noted that the decisive stage came in 1878, when, following the war with the Ottoman Empire and with the support of the army of Russian Emperor Alexander II of Russia, Bulgarian statehood was restored.

“The freedom that dawned on March 3, 1878, is the realized ideal of generations of Bulgarians. Its significance goes beyond any political circumstances or the passions of the day,” Patriarch Daniil said. He described the national holiday as a symbol of unity rooted in faith, language, culture and historical memory.

According to the head of the Bulgarian Church, Liberation Day serves as a reminder of the price of freedom and the responsibility of current generations to preserve it. He called for unity, peace and spiritual continuity, stressing that the strength of society lies “in faith and solidarity.”

Following the church service, commemorations continued at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in Sofia, where government officials and city authorities took part in a formal ceremony. The memory of those who fell for Bulgaria’s freedom was honored with a minute of silence.