Bulgarian delegation received the vestments of Saint Petka from Romania, they will be displayed for pilgrimage in Veliko Tarnovo

For the third consecutive year, Bulgaria’s Commercial Attaché in Bucharest, Dr. Ivaylo Marinov, received the vestments of Saint Petka, whose relics are kept in the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Paraskeva" in the town of in Iasi, Romania. This was possible thanks to the blessing of the Romanian Patriarch Daniel, the blessing of Metropolitan Theophanes and the wonderful work of Metropolitan Naum on the Bulgarian side.

"Together with the representative of our Orthodox Church in Romania - Father Kiril Sinev, we received the vestments of the Saint as a gift for our old capital Veliko Tarnovo. This was at the request of Metropolitan Gregory of Veliko Tarnovo and the Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo, Mr. Daniel Panov, in cooperation with the Balkan Trading House.

I am glad to be again in favour of the Bulgarian Church and the city of Veliko Tarnovo. This is a great example of the wonderful interaction between church, business and state," said Marinov.

Saint Petka's vestments will be on display for pilgrimage in Veliko Tarnovo.

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Venerable Paraskeva of Epivates, also known as Saint Petka of Bulgaria, lived in the 10th and the 11th century AD. Paraskeva was born in the town of Epivates (close to present-day Istanbul). After the death of her parents, who were Bulgarians, she followed her brother’s example and devoted herself to serving God.

She led a pious life, following Christ's command of love and mercy to those in need, After her death, her holy relics became a symbol of the struggle to preserve Christianity.

In 1238, Bulgarian tsar Ivan Asen II carried the relics of the saint to Tarnovgrad (today Veliko Tarnovo), where they were preserved for nearly two centuries until the Ottoman conquest of the old Bulgarian capital. After two centuries of wandering, in 1641 the remains of St. Petka were laid to rest in the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iasi, northern Romania, where they continue to attract pilgrims from all over the world to this day.

Bulgarians honour St. Petka as the patron saint of women, home and family. In popular beliefs, St. Petka is the protector of fertility.