December 25 (BTA) - Church and secular leaders and institutions used various channels to extend Christmas greetings to Bulgarians on Friday and Saturday. Some of them issued press releases while others posted messages on social media or spoke to journalists.

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church: We should show Christian love with our deeds - not just on this blessed day but on all days of our life. Our thoughts and deeds should always be aimed at all those around us who are in need or in distress, abandoned or ostracized by society, suffering from various physical or mental disorders. This is the only way to welcome the infant God to our hearts in a proper and dignified manner and celebrate this holy festival with pure and bright joy. God's most important message is this: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). We should follow this commandment with utmost perseverance, because, by obeying it, we will achieve the highest emulation of God that we are able to achieve. We should not only take care of our own well-being but also look at our neighbour and his suffering, and when we see Christ in him, we should do our best to emulate Him while keeping sight of God's amazing mercy towards us.

President Rumen Radev: On this day of faith and hope, I wish good health, prosperity and understanding in every Bulgarian home. May the light of this great Christian feast inspire us for good deeds and compassion for the needy. May it give us the strength to continue to build together a decent future for all.

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov: The Nativity of Jesus is one of the most important Christian feasts, a family holiday. I hope that all Bulgarians can take a moment to reflect, to think about what we can do together to ensure that Bulgaria is better off next year. VE

Source: Sofia