Vatican to Watch Film about Late Bulgarian Patriarch

Bulgarian Patriarch Maxim, who led the Church since 1971, passed away on November 6 at the age of 98. Photo by BGNES

The Vatican is going to watch a film about late Bulgarian Patriarch Maxim on January 22.

The news was reported by the Bulgarian Standard daily, citing the Holy Synod. The film was produced by Goran Blagoev, prominent Bulgarian journalist, expert on religious matters, and author of the program "Society and Faith" of the State-owned Bulgarian National Television.

A special invitation has been sent to Pope Benedict XVI. Several cardinals, including the director of the Vatican library and the cardinal responsible for relations with the Orthodox Church, have confirmed attendance so far.

The film will be sown one day after the date when the Patriarch celebrated his name day.

It is 54-minutes long and will have special subtitles in Italian. It was shot for Maxim's 90th birthday, under the initiative of then Bulgarian Ambassador to the Vatican, Stefan Bonchev, and includes the Patriarch's most extensive interview ever.

Patriarch Maxim was the oldest Primate of Orthodox Church Patriarchs around the world, and he was at the helm for a record-long 41 years. He died shortly before 4 am on November 6 after spending a month in the Governmental Hospital in Sofia including several days on life support.

Maxim turned 98 on October 29, 2012.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!