“There is a suggestion that the Bulgarian Patriarch Maxim will be declared an honorary citizen of Sofia,” said yesterday Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova after the Holy Mass on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the inauguration of the Bulgarian Patriarch and Sofia Metropolitan Maxim. It was held under tight security measures in the patriarchal cathedral of St. Alexander Nevski. President Georgi Parvanov, Chairwoman of Parliament, Tsetska Tsacheva, and over hundred lay brothers attended the liturgy. Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria HE Yuri Isakov, former Prime Minister Simeon Sakskoburggotski, MP Rumen Petkov, representatives of the Municipal Council attended the mass in the patriarchal cathedral of St. Alexander Nevski. Prelates of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and representatives of the Orthodox Sister Churches partook in the liturgy as well. Bulgarian Patriarch Maxim welcomed the bishops at the beginning of the liturgy, and they kissed his hand. The Holy Mass was conducted by the Bulgarian Patriarch Maxim in person.