On August 30, 2025, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil led a solemn Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral "Saint Alexander Nevsky" on the occasion of the summer holiday of the temple. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of spiritual freedom as the basis for political freedom.
"If a person loses spiritual freedom, he cannot preserve political freedom, he cannot be free", emphasized Patriarch Daniil, addressing the multitude of laity gathered in the temple. He recalled the words of the Holy Scripture: "Know the truth and the truth will set you free", emphasizing the power of faith in preserving human dignity and independence.
During his sermon, the patriarch recalled the life example of Saint Alexander Nevsky - the patron saint of Tsar Alexander II, also known as Alexander the Liberator, who signed the decree for the beginning of the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation. According to Patriarch Daniil, it was precisely as a sign of gratitude to the sacrifice of the Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers that the Bulgarian people built the temple of "St. Alexander Nevsky".
"As an expression of the gratitude of our entire people, our ancestors built this magnificent temple-monument in memory of all the fallen Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers who laid down their bones for our freedom and for the faith of the fatherland," the patriarch said.
Among those present at the liturgy were the Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova and the chairman of the political party ABV Rumen Petkov. Patriarch Daniil addressed everyone, including today's rulers of the country, with a wish to realize the importance of the Orthodox faith and follow the example of their ancestors.
In his speech, the patriarch also touched on the topic of the spiritual education of young people. He expressed support for the efforts of the Ministry of Education and Science to introduce a new subject - "Religion and Virtues". According to him, this will help students build a stronger moral and spiritual foundation.