A Record-Breaking Gathering in Sofia

The annual "March for the Family" returned to the streets of Sofia in 2026, marking its sixth edition with what organizers described as the largest and most festive turnout to date. Held under the auspices of the Sofia Holy Metropolitanate and with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, the event drew thousands of participants from across the country. The procession aimed to reaffirm support for faith, traditional family structures, piety, and the future of Bulgaria.

The event was co-organized by several civil society groups, including the "Month of the Family" Association, the "Our Home is Bulgaria" Foundation, the ROD Association, and the Orthodox Youth Association "St. Ivan Rilski." The program began at 5:00 PM with an evening service and prayer for the Bulgarian family at the St. Nedelya Church, led by Patriarch Daniel himself.

Religious and Political Support

From the stage, Patriarch Daniel delivered a stirring address, urging attendees to preserve and strengthen the family as the fundamental cell of society. He reiterated the constitutional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman and advised supporters of LGBTQ+ events to avoid normalizing what he termed "sinful passions." Co-organizers Kristian Shkvarnek and David Alexandrov also welcomed the crowd, highlighting the grassroots nature of the initiative.

Political support was widespread, with representatives from VMRO, GERB/SDS, "Revival," "Greatness," MECH, ITN, MIR, and "Bulgaria Can" all showing their backing. Notably, the parliamentary group of "Progressive Bulgaria" issued a formal declaration from the National Assembly podium in defense of the Bulgarian family, which David Alexandrov read aloud to the thousands gathered outside St. Nedelya Church.

Cultural Pageantry and Royal Attendance

For the first time, at the request of the Sofia Holy Metropolitanate, the march was accompanied by the Guard Representative Brass Band of the National Guards Unit, conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Radi Radev. The procession was led by a liturgy of believers carrying crosses, banners, and icons, followed by the military band, event organizers, His Grace Bishop Ioan of Branitsa, and numerous clergy members.

Cultural elements played a significant role, with an 80-meter Bulgarian flag carried amidst the sounds of over 50 of the 100 kaba gaitas (traditional bagpipes) from Smolyan and Momchilovtsi, along with the "Great Gaitas" ensemble from Asenovgrad. Performances by the "Bulgare," "Pirin," and "Masters of Dance" ensembles added to the festive atmosphere.

Thousands of families, clergy, guards, musicians, dancers, and children walked together through central Sofia in the name of faith, justice, and national heritage. In a notable addition this year, Princess Kalina of Bulgaria and her husband, Kitting Munoz, joined the march by their own initiative, adding a royal dimension to the civic and religious demonstration.