December 25 (BTA) - "In these days and months of new
grave trials which we share with the whole world and all of
humanity, we are again overcome with the unique joy and hope
which are shining today with the Nativity in the Flesh of Our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," Patriarch Neophyte and the
metropolitans of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church
 said in a Christmas message on Friday.

They said: "We live in a world full of pain and suffering which
is torn by internecine struggle and contradictions every day and
 is getting breathless with despair as it drifts willfully away
from its loving Creator." The Synod gave the following quote
from the Bible: "By this everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).

"May the light rising today with the Nativity of Our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ shine upon all loyal children of our
Orthodox Church at home and abroad, and may His peace be with us
 all!" the Synod said.

Patriarch Neophyte blessed the Bulgarians for Christmas during a
 holy liturgy at Sofia's St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on
Friday. During the liturgy, special prayers were read out on
behalf of the Church for deliverance of the Bulgarian people
from the COVID-19 pandemic and for protection of the faithful.

President Rumen Radev, National Assembly Chair Tsveta
Karayancheva and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov extended
Christmas greetings to the nation in Facebook posts. RY/VE

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