Pope Benedict XVI's speech to the delegation from Bulgaria and Macedonia

(May 22, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI wished that Bulgaria and Macedonia would grow increasingly in fraternal relations and solidarity through the tireless work of evangelization, implemented with true apostolic zeal of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The Pope wished this while receiving the delegations from the two countries that are in Rome to mark the feasts of Saints Cyril and Methodius Patrons of the Orthodox Church. Known as the Apostles of Slavs, the feast of the two brothers from Thessalonica is observed on May 24^th according to the Orthodox Tradition. The Holy Father added that the Saints Cyril and Methodius have significantly contributed to shaping humanity and spiritual features of the Bulgarian and Macedonian people, in the Christian cultural tradition. Speaking to the Bulgarian Delegation headed by their Prime Minister, the Pope said that in the path of full integration with other European nations, Bulgaria is called upon to promote and witness the Christian roots that descend from the teachings of Saints Cyril and Methodius, still very current and necessary, and to remain faithful and preserve the precious heritage that unites everyone, both Orthodox and Catholics, and profess the same faith of the Apostles and are united by our common Baptism. In a separate meeting with the Macedonian Delegation led by the President, the Pope said that the two brothers knew sufferings, deprivation and hostility, but endured all with invincible faith and unshakable hope in God, taking care of the people entrusted to them, preserving the texts of Scripture, which are essential to the celebration of the Liturgy, translated by them into Old Slavonic language written in a whole new alphabet. As Christians said Pope Benedict, we must preserve and strengthen the intrinsic link between the Gospel and the respective cultural identities, as disciples of the Lord, in mutual respect of different church traditions, and be witnesses to the faith in Jesus.