Pope's condolence message for death of Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria

(Nov. 11, 2012) Pope’s condolence message for death of Patriarch Maxim Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday expressed profound sorrow on hearing of the death of Orthodox Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria. The Patriarch who led his country’s Orthodox Christians for more than 40 years, died at a hospital in Sophia of heart failure at age 98. Pope Benedict’s message praised the Patriarch for the many years of service rendered to the Orthodox church and his people. The Pope also expressed thanks for the good relations that the Patriarch developed with the Roman Catholic Church and hoped they would continue. Pope Benedict also recalled the cordial hospitality reserved for his predecessor – Pope John Paul II during his historic visit to Bulgaria in May 2002. Orthodox Christianity is Bulgaria’s dominant religion, followed by more than 80 percent of the country’s 7.4 million people. Born Marin Naidenov Minkov on Oct. 29, 1914, he graduated from the Sofia Seminary in 1935 and entered Sofia University’s theology department in 1938, before rising through the church ranks to be named patriarch on July 4, 1971. The Orthodox Church said the Patriarch’s funeral will be held Friday at the Troyan Monastery. It will be preceded by a memorial service at Sophia’s cathedral .