Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met Prime Minister Rumen Radev today, the government press office said. Radev said the Orthodox faith protects moral values and unites society in a world of division and confrontation.

The Bulgarian Patriarchate announced last Wednesday that Bartholomew would be in Bulgaria from 17 to 19 October. The last day of his programme is at the Rila Monastery.

The background: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Bulgaria on 17-19 October

Also at the talks were Patriarch Daniil, Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia, Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov, clergy from the Ecumenical Patriarchate and bishops from the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Bartholomew and Patriarch Daniil led the liturgy earlier today at the Rila Monastery of St John of Rila. This year marks 1,150 years since the saint's birth and 1,080 years since his death. The Church honours St John of Rila on 19 October, the feast day of the heavenly patron of the Bulgarian people. In folk tradition the day is called Otchovden, and the saint is seen as the spiritual father and protector of Bulgarians.

Radev congratulated Bartholomew on the 35th anniversary of his enthronement. "We value your efforts to be a voice of reason and wisdom and to call for peace," the prime minister told the patriarch.

Radev said that in times of trial it is good for people to go back to the roots of their faith and to be more humble and more open to one another. He said cultural dialogue, faith and the responsibility of state institutions are the basis for a better future for coming generations.

The prime minister also thanked the patriarch for blessing an act of good neighbourliness between Bulgaria and Greece. The government statement said it brought the remains of Tsar Samuel back to Bulgaria. Radev added that Bulgaria and Greece have shown they can leave past disputes behind and become a strategic axis of prosperity in the Balkans.

Radev said he is sure the patriarch's visit will give new momentum to ties between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and will support thousands of believers. Bartholomew wished the prime minister and the government success in their work for the good of the Bulgarian people. The patriarch stressed the importance of cooperation between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the good of Orthodoxy.

Bartholomew invited Radev to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate.