Russian Patriarch Kirill, who is presiding a large ecumenical delegation to Bulgaria, attended Sunday a solemn prayer at Sofia's Russian church of St. Nicholas.

A large crowd of Bulgarians, Russians residing in Bulgaria and Bulgarians of Russian origin was assembled in and around the Russian church to welcome Kirill.

Prior to that, the Patriarch of Moscow and All of Russia had presided together with his Bulgarian counterpart, Patriarch Maxim, over a solemn mass held in Sofia's St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

The prayer in Sofia's Russian church will be the last event in Patriarch Kirill's high-profile 3-day visit to Bulgaria.

Sunday Kirill expressed his deep respect for his Bulgarian counterpart Maxim, singling him out, being aged 97, as the oldest Christian Orthodox patriarch.

"I want to express my deep love and gratitute to the Bulgarian Patriarch, who has been a recognized spiritual leader of his people for all these years," said Kirill.

Many official guests were also present at the chruch services held in honor of the high Russian ecumenical delegation.

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