The chair of the National Assembly Mihail Mikov and other lawmakers have taken part on May 6th, 2014 in the festivities dedicated to the Day of Bravery and the Bulgarian Army in Sofia. A service on consecration of the military and the sacred flags was held. The religious ritual is linked to the Christian feast of Saint George, and honors also the Bulgarian Army. The ceremony was held by His Holiness Patriarch Neofit. He greeted and blessed the members of the Bulgarian army with their fete and then sprinkled the army flags with holy water. “In the prayers to St. George our people have always asked for protection, in the difficult moments, fighting for his fatherland and defending its dignity, the Bulgarian soldier has always found inspiration in the exploit of St George, said Patriarch Neofit.

Bulgaria’s President and Supreme commander in chief Rosen Plevneliev has reviewed the guard of honor. A wreath was laid in front of the Unknown Soldier’s monument. The brass orchestra of the National Guard has played the national anthem. Among those present were the vice premier and interior minister Tsvetlin Yovchev, defense minister Angel Naydenov, the Chief of Staff, general Simeon Simeonov, former president Gelyu Gelev/1990-1997/, former prime minister Simeon Saks Goburg-Gotha, lawmakers, high ranking  military officials, diplomats, veterans and civilians.

The ceremony has ended with a solemn march of the Guard Unit. Later the Speaker of the Parliament has attended the military parade of the elite forces of the Bulgarian army, held on Knyaz Alexander I square in Sofia.