Orthodox Royals in Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, & Serbia Celebrate Pascha

 

King Simeon II of the Bulgarians attended Easter services at the St. Nedelya Metropolitan Cathedral in Sofia. With the blessing of His Holiness the Metropolitan of Sofia and Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte, at midnight His Eminence Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ to the gathered crowd and celebrated the hierarch’s Holy Liturgy in the church.

Nicholas of Romania, grandson of the late King Michael of Romania, and his wife Alina-Maria and their daughter Maria-Alexandra celebrated Easter at their home in Bucharest. 

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and his fiancée Victoria Romanovna Bettarini celebrated Easter in Moscow. Victoria’s father Ambassador Roberto Bettarini was able to spend the holiday with the couple. On the evening of 30 April 2021, Good Friday, Grand Duke George and Victoria Romanovna and Ambassador Bettarini attended services at the Vvedensky Temple near the Saltykov Bridge. Aided by her priest Father Nikon, Victoria Romanovna made traditional Orthodox Easter cakes using an original wooden mold that is over 150 years old. Grand Duke George and Victoria then hosted Easter dinner with Ambassador Bettarini and their priest Father Nikon at the couple’s Moscow home.

Prince Philip and Princess Danica of Serbia marked Easter by attending Pascha services with their son Prince Stefan. Philip is the son of Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia.