Aurelian Cotoban, Facebook, 29 November 2025
Table of contents
Summary
An international symposium, “Saint Sophronius of Vratsa: A Bridge Between the Romanian and Bulgarian Peoples,” was held on November 26, 2025, at the Church of Saint Nicholas in Chirnogi, Romania. The event, organized with the blessing of Bishop Vincențiu of Slobozia and Călărași, aimed to strengthen the spiritual and historical bonds between Romania and Bulgaria by exploring the life and work of Saint Sophronius of Vratsa.
Key Highlights:
- Opening and Consecration: The proceedings began with a blessing service, followed by the consecration of an icon of Saint Sophronius, a work on glass by artist Prof. Ecaterina Mitran.
- Scientific Focus: Papers were presented on the life and sufferings of Saint Sophronius in both countries, emphasizing his roles in:
- Spiritual vocation: Priest and Orthodox hierarch.
- Diplomatic activity: Tireless efforts for the rights of the subjugated Bulgarian people.
- Cultural heritage: Founder of Bulgarian high culture literature.
- Significance of Venue: Chirnogi was chosen because Saint Sophronius had ordained a large number of priests in Wallachia during his archiepiscopal activity, including one for the Chirnogi parish.
- Participants: Clergy and lay researchers from both countries attended, including Father Kiril Sinev (Bulgarian Patriarchate representative), priests from the Dioceses of Vratsa and Oltenița, and a delegation from the Metropolis of Durustorum.
- Academic and Cultural Contributions: High-level presentations were made by delegations from the “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse (Silistra branch), researchers from the Institute of Cultural Heritage in Chișinău, and various cultural figures and teachers.
- Conclusion: The symposium ended with the promise to publish the papers in a collective volume. As a final event, a shrine made of carved oak wood was consecrated in the “Deal” neighborhood of Chirnogi in honor of the saint, who had also ordained Saint Calinic of Cernica as a deacon. The organizers received congratulations from the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Intro
On 26 November 2025, with the blessing of His Grace Vincențiu, Bishop of Slobozia and Călărași, the Parish of Chirnogi hosted an international symposium entitled ‘Saint Sophronius of Vratsa: A Bridge Between the Romanian and Bulgarian Peoples’ at the Church of Saint Nicholas. This event offered a unique chance to strengthen the spiritual and historical bonds between the two countries by exploring the life of this remarkable religious leader.
Opening of the proceedings and consecration of the icon
The symposium was opened by the Reverend Father Protopope Dr. Marian Necula with a blessing service. On this occasion, the icon of Saint Sophronius of Vratsa, a work on glass by the artist Prof. Ecaterina Mitran, was also consecrated.
Scientific papers and historical perspectives
The audience was presented with scientific papers dealing with the life and sufferings of Saint Sophronius both in Romania and Bulgaria. Emphasis was placed on his various facets:
- Spiritual vocation: his service as a priest and hierarch of the Orthodox Church;
- Diplomatic activity: his tireless efforts for the rights of the subjugated Bulgarian people;
- Cultural heritage: his status as the founder of Bulgarian high culture literature.
The choice of Chirnogi as the venue for this symposium was not accidental. During his rich archiepiscopal activity in Wallachia, Saint Sophronius ordained—with the blessing of Metropolitan Dositei of Ungro-Wallachia—a large number of priests, including one for the parish of Chirnogi. Thus, the local community expressed its gratitude across the centuries through this event.
Participants and prominent researchers
The research presented, some of which provided information for the first time, was supported by clergy and laity from both countries:
- Father Kiril Sinev, representative of the Bulgarian Patriarchate in Romania, constant promoter of pan-Orthodox Romanian-Bulgarian collaboration;
- Priest Irinei, Doctor of History (Diocese of Vratsa);
- Priest Mihail Mihailov, who presented a rare, two-century-old edition of the Kiriakodromion (printed in Novi Sad). He gave a copy of this “Cazanie” type book to Mr. Aurelian Cotoban, the church trustee and lay organizer of the event;
- Parish priests: Adrian Postolea, Radu Alin, Ioniță Dănuț, and Matei Daniel;
- Father Cristian Necula, secretary of the Oltenița Deanery.
The delegation of the Metropolis of Durustorum, led by its vicar, protopresbyter Ivan Chekov, together with priest Ivan Chobanov, conveyed the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Yakov. They expressed their joy that this saint, who rests in Romanian soil, is honored in Romania.
The contribution of the academic and cultural community
The section dedicated to the laity included high-level presentations:
- The delegation of the “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse (Silistra branch), led by Prof. Galina Lecheva (head of the Department of Bulgarian Language and Literature) and Ms. Silvia Angelova;
- Dr. Valentin Arapu (Institute of Cultural Heritage in Chișinău) and V. Constantinescu, with a paper on the cultural and scientific activity of the hierarch;
- Milen Bakalov, cultural advisor to the Metropolis of Ruse, who presented new data about the Chirnogi parish from 200 years ago;
- Aurelian Cotoban, writer and church trustee.
The event was also attended by teachers (Monica Vasile, Kalina Mihailova, Doina Roman, Liliana Petre, Radu Valerică), writer Aurora Georgescu, Mr. Alexander Dimitrov, curator (Tutrakan Museum), as well as representatives of the Bulgarian community in Teleorman County: Mihail Lecu (Balgarski Izvori Association) and Roman Viorica (The Three Fountains Sunday School). The mayor of Chirnogi addressed a message of congratulations to all participants.
Conclusions and consecration of the roadside shrine
The symposium ended with the troparion of Saint Sophronius and the promise to publish all the papers presented in a collective volume.
As a crowning achievement of the event, the entire assembly moved to the “Deal” neighborhood of Chirnogi, where a shrine made of carved oak wood, erected by the faithful in honor of the saint, was consecrated. The shrine was consecrated through joint prayers by Romanian and Bulgarian priests. It was recalled that Saint Sophronius of Vratsa was the one who ordained Saint Calinic of Cernica as a deacon.
The organizers received congratulations from officials of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Bucharest. Gratitude was expressed to all those who supported the event, especially the families of Irinel and Doina Roman, Marian Stama and neighbors, as well as the main sponsor, Lucia Cotoban.
Photo: (source: Aurelian Cotoban)
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