MUNICIPALITY OF BULGARIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH SET UP IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, May 24 (Hina) - On the occasion of the Bulgarian national holiday - Slavonic Literacy and Bulgarian Culture Day - on 24 May when Saints Cyril and Methodius are celebrated, the Bulgarian Church's municipality was established in Zagreb. The ceremony took place in the Eastern-Rite church in the Croatian capital on Wednesday evening. Expressing pleasure with the establishment of the Bulgarian Orthodox municipality, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church's representative for western and central Europe, Metropolitan Simeon, whose offices are in Berlin, said members of the Bulgarian ethnic community had been living in Croatia for over 100 years in a friendly environment. This municipality will contribute to the strengthening of the ethnic community of Bulgarians, their religious life and their own identity, said the dignitary. Bulgaria's President Petar Stoyanov forwarded a message of congratulation on the set-up of this municipality. His message, which was read by Bulgarian Ambassador to the Croatian capital, Velizar Encev, said Stoyanov wished successful work and the furtherance of the Croatian-Bulgarian traditional and friendly ties. Present at the event were Croatian national parliament's President, Zlatko Tomcic, Deputy Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic-Kurelec and many public figures. (hina) jn ms