Bulgarian Orthodox Church Presents Pope Leo XIV with Commemorative Silver Coins Depicting Monasteries

A delegation led by Metropolitan Anthony and Professor Ivan Ivanov — a priest and theologian — represented the Bulgarian Patriarchate at the enthronement and inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

A delegation from the Bulgarian Patriarchate attended the enthronement and inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, which took place on 18 and 19 May.

The delegation was led by Metropolitan Anthony and included Professor Ivan Ivanov, a priest and theologian. They delivered an official congratulatory address to the Pope from His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria and the Holy Synod of the BOC-BP.

The delegation also presented the Pope with a symbolic gift of silver coins featuring Bulgarian monasteries, according to a post by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Rome on its official Facebook page.

The valuable gift comprises commemorative silver coins depicting some of Bulgaria's most renowned monasteries: Rila, Bachkovo, Troyan, Dryanovo, Glozhene, Preobrazhenie and Rozhen.

Minted by the Bulgarian National Bank, the coins are presented in a luxurious wooden case.

Each coin bears a detailed relief of its respective monastery on the obverse and an artistic rendition of its miracle-working icon on the reverse. These designs were created by Plamen Chernev, a sculptor at the Bulgarian Mint.