Plovdiv Metropolitan Nikolay opened the Holy Archangels Church in the Old Town of Plovdiv with a long speech of thanks to the businessman and honorary consul of Russia Georgi Gergov and his entire family. He even announced that he chose the date for the consecration of the temple because of Gergov’s name day.
Thanks and a special tribute were also given to Petar Mandjukov, the mayor of Plovdiv Zdravko Dimitrov, the leader of GERB Boyko Borisov and others, the website reported “Under the Hill”.
“He loves Plovdiv and our dear homeland Bulgaria”
“Georgi Gergov has already received all the highest possible honors – the Order of St. Erm first degree, he is an archon of the Plovdiv Metropolis. With this, he ranks next to all the personalities of the Renaissance – the people who, with their labors and opportunities, built this city into a fortress of Orthodoxy and then into a fortress of Bulgaria – in that order. The example that Georgi Gergov gives raises him very highsaid Metropolitan Nicholas.
“He loves Plovdiv and our dear homeland Bulgaria”the metropolitan added, then presented an icon to the archon.
Gergov donated part of the unfinished building to the so-called Greek School in the Old Town of the Metropolis. The church bought the other part from its private owners. In fact, what was donated by Gergov was not his personal property, but an asset of the company “Paldin Turinvest”, in which the municipality of Plovdiv also has a share, recalls “Pod tepeto”. The company was gradually mastered by Gergov, and through it he is on his way to gaining complete control over the Plovdiv fair.
The building, which remained unfinished for many years, was completed and the metropolitan moved into it. The church, whose consecration took place on St. George’s Day, was also built to it.
An account of the father’s covenant
During the ceremony, Metropolitan Nikolay told how Georgi Gergov’s late father, Todor, gave the idea for the donation that his son made to the church.
“Traveling along the boulevard, the father asked the son – what are you going to do with this building”, referring to the concrete building. Georgi answered that he did not know, as there are many owners who do not agree to it being a restaurant. Todor spontaneously said ” Donate it to the church”. Later, George remembered his father’s covenant and donated his part to the church”said Metropolitan Nikolay.
Then followed thanks to the mayor Zdravko Dimitrov and the chief architect Dimitar Akhryanov. The construction of the temple started with an invalid building permit. “The priests here will forever mention you in their prayers”Nikolay said to Zdravko Dimitrov.
Metropolitan Nikolay also thanked GERB leader Boyko Borisov, who, in his capacity as prime minister, proposed that 500,000 BGN be allocated for the construction of this temple. 100,000 BGN of private funds was donated by Petar Mandjukov – the other businessman very close to Nikolay and also, like Gergov – archon of the Plovdiv church.
