A procession carrying a relic believed to contain a fragment of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of Jesus Christ passed through the streets of Sofia on September 12, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the traditional discovery of the Cross.

The procession was led by Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel and brought together bishops, clergy and dozens of Orthodox Christians from Sofia and other parts of Bulgaria. Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova also joined the faithful in the religious observance.

The ceremony began with a minor vespers service at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sofia’s Lozenets district. Participants then proceeded toward the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, where the relic was transferred.

Upon its arrival, an all-night vigil began at the cathedral, giving worshippers an opportunity to venerate the fragment of the Cross.

According to Christian tradition, the True Cross was discovered in Jerusalem by Saint Helena, the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the event in 2026 with special religious services on September 12 and 13.

Addressing the faithful, Patriarch Daniel said Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross represented a victory over death and evil. He described the struggle against sin as one of the most difficult challenges facing believers and said the power of the Cross gives Christians strength to overcome spiritual weakness.

“On the Cross, the Lord defeated the enemy of humanity’s salvation, and this struggle is the most important of all that have ever been waged on Earth,” Patriarch Daniel said.