Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I is expected to arrive on his four-day visit to Bulgaria on Saturday.

 

The Archbishop of Constantinople will visit Bulgaria at the invitation of Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte and the bishops of the Holy Synod.

 

The Ecunemical Patriach has requested to have a free schedule on Saturday, with his official visit starting on Sunday, when the feast day of Archangel Michael is observed.

 

On Sunday, Neophyte and Bartholomew I will hold a holy liturgy, daily Dnevnik informs.

 

On Monday, the Ecumenical Patriarch will be awarded an honorary degree by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAN).

 

Later on Monday, he is to meet Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, who will present to him the Order of Stara Planina, first class - the highest distinction awarded in the country.

 

On Tuesday, Barthlomew I is to meet Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

 

After that he will visit the Troyan monastery, where together with Neophyte they will hold a memorial service at the tomb of the longest reigning Bulgarian Patriarch - Maxim.