Bulgarian Orthodox Church Patriarch Maxim held Sunday the solemn Christmas mass at the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia.
"On this great day, it is our deep hope that peace will reign, and mutual understanding will come among all people on earth," said the Bulgarian Patriarch.
As traditional, he congratulated and blessed the Bulgarian people on the great Christian holiday, which in Eastern Orthodox Chirstianity comes right after Easter in terms of importance.
Hundreds of lay people, including many Greek tourists, as well as figures of state, were present at the solemn mass Sunday.