Prime Minister Boyko Borisov congratulated His Holiness Patriarch Maxim on the occasion of his 95th birthday, the government press office announced Thursday.
“Bowing down before your longevity, I would like to convey my special greetings for your long standing ecclesiastical service and for your efforts in upholding the original Christian truths.”, wrote Borisov.
In his letter, the Prime Minister expressed his empathy for the occasion of Patriarch Maxim’s birthday and presented his best wishes for health, strength and longevity, “so that you can continue your apostolic service in the name of the Church and our people”.
Patriarch Maxim was born as Marin Naidenov Minkov on October 29, 1914 and was raised in the Balkan Mountains village of Oreshak. He became a novice monk at the nearby monastery of Troyan before attending Sofia University, where he specialized in Orthodox Theology. He took Holy Orders in 1941.
After a number of promotions within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Maxim was appointed as Bulgaria’s Patriarch on July 4, 1971, following the death of the incumbent, Cyril.
Despite the atmosphere of persecution under Todor Zhivkov, Maxim succeeded in defending the church, partly because of support from members of the Politburo.
In the 1990s, following allegations that Maxim had collaborated with the former Communist regime, the church split, with a rival Bulgarian Alternative Synod being formed. Maxim gathered enough support to prevent a complete schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
Author: Wanderer, 7 Nov 2009 15:42:20
Bulgaria PM Congratulates Patriarch Maxim on 95th Birthday
Policeman time.
Author: DP, 19 Nov 2009 19:01:21
Bulgaria PM Congratulates Patriarch Maxim on 95th Birthday
“Despite the atmosphere of persecution under Todor Zhivkov, Maxim succeeded in defending the church, partly because of support from members of the Politburo.”
Really?
What a BS!
Who were those “courageous” former members (or their descendants) of Politburo trying to wash their dirty laundry now? Do you call providing a luxurious life for Maxim “defending the church”? Remember, he was on a salary paid by the communist’s regime that had confiscated all the church lands and turned churches and monasteries into “cultural monuments” or pigsties.
Disgusting dirty hypocrites. Just stick to laundering the money you stole and still keep stealing and leave history alone.
Author: FIGMENT, 19 Nov 2009 19:10:43
Bulgaria PM Congratulates Patriarch Maxim on 95th Birthday
DP
" Disgusting dirty hypocrites. Just stick to laundering the money you stole and still keep stealing and leave history alone."
No. I think they should stop stealing and return all the money they stole.
Author: Uchak, 19 Nov 2009 21:41:11
Bulgaria PM Congratulates Patriarch Maxim on 95th Birthday
what could Maxim do? If he spoke out would change nothing, earn him long prison term and more repression...what church in BG must do now is speak out against corruption both within its ranks and in society...and preach they Bg women in general not be such cheap sluts
Author: Pantudi, 19 Nov 2009 21:46:00
Bulgaria PM Congratulates Patriarch Maxim on 95th Birthday
Uchak,
"If he spoke out would change nothing..."
...and if he basically kept his mouth shut and opened it only to suck red commie schlong, he would kep the BKP-provided salary, Mercedes and all the perks, so screw the Faith.
Author: DP, 19 Nov 2009 22:42:08
Bulgaria PM Congratulates Patriarch Maxim on 95th Birthday
"...what church in BG must do now is speak out against corruption both within its ranks and in society...and preach they Bg women in general not be such cheap sluts”
Unfortunately, he lost his moral authority to preach against corruption and whatever you mean by “cheap sluts” in any form or shape. He can keep his Mercedes though.
Author: Pantudi, 19 Nov 2009 23:08:34
Bulgaria PM Congratulates Patriarch Maxim on 95th Birthday
Riding in a lowly S-class Mercedes shows Maxim's modesty and humility. He could have easily chosen a Rolls Royce or a Maybach
Author: Rollingstoned, 19 Nov 2009 23:24:21
Bulgaria PM Congratulates Patriarch Maxim on 95th Birthday
"Riding in a lowly S-class Mercedes shows Maxim's modesty and humility. He could have easily chosen a Rolls Royce or a Maybach"
I once rode in George Harrisons, Bentley.
It smelled like, Norwegian Wood.
I'd rather walk.
Split wood, not atoms.
Gas Guzzlers, SUCK.
Go green and smoke green.
Like we did in the back of The Bentley! :-))
Author: FIGMENT, 20 Nov 2009 00:41:56
Bulgaria PM Congratulates Patriarch Maxim on 95th Birthday
Uchak
" and preach they Bg women in general not be such cheap sluts"
Who said anything about cheap? They are expensive sluts, and not worth the money.
