Crucea.ro

by Zornitsa Gavrilova
Correspondent of The Standart
Rome

For the first time ever an (Bulgarian) Orthodox and a Catholic priests participated together on the public prayer for May 24th, the Day of Sts Cyril and Methodius in Rome yesterday. Monsignor Hristo Proykov and Metropolitan of Rousse, Neofit served the special prayer at San Clemente basilica which keeps the relics of St Cyril. Bulgaria?s President Georgi Parvanov and his wife Zorka were the VIPs at the ceremony. The Bulgarian first couple was on an official visit in Rome for the annual audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Dozens of Bulgarians living in Rome arrived for the prayer. When it was over everybody in the church sang together the Slav Orthodox hymn Mnogoya Leta (Many Years to Live) and the Bulgarian song for May 24th Varvi Narode Vazrodeni (Forward, Revived People).

Later, Bulgaria’s President Georgi Parvanov visited Santa Maria Maggiore basilica where centuries ago St Cyril received acknowledgement for the Slavic script.Together with visitors from all over the world, Georgi Parvanov prayed in the church.