President of Bulgaria takes oath on Gospel in presence of Maxim, Patriarch of Bulgaria

The Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, re-elected for his second term, entered the office by taking an oath on the Gospel in the presence of Maxim, Patriarch of Bulgaria. He was followed by the vice-president Angel Marin, who also started his second term – the ‘Interfax-Religion’ reports.

The ceremony was held in the building of Bulgarian parliament. Immediately after swearing to protect the constitution and state laws, the two were blessed by the Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and kissed the Gospel, lying on the parliamentary rostrum.

On 22 January the celebration, devoted to re-electing G. Parvanov continued with a military ceremonial in front of the church of Saint Alexander Nevsky, which was built in memory of Russian soldiers who died fighting for freeing Bulgaria from Turkish yoke.

DECR Communication Service