€32,000 raised at the 5th Orthodox Christmas Gala
Every year, the Orthodox Church of Monaco – Saint Elena’s Parish organizes a festive gala dinner, following the Orthodox Christmas tradition of the old Julian calendar, which is 13 days after Western Christmas. This celebration honors an Orthodox country to highlight the spirituality and culture of the chosen country in Monte-Carlo for local guests and visitors. This 5th edition of the Orthodox Christmas Gala, with Bulgaria as the country of honor, took place on January 12, 2024, in the luxurious Salle des Arts at One Monte-Carlo, and raised €32,000.
The Gala was opened with a Christmas prayer service with His Grace Irenei, Bishop of London and Western Europe at the place of worship of the Orthodox Church of Monaco – Saint Elena’s Parish at 22, av de Grande-Bretagne, followed by the traditional walk to the Place du Casino. As the guests arrived, a champagne reception began, then a magnificent Bulgarian dinner was served, orchestrated by the world’s most famous Bulgarian chef, Andre Tokev, who came specially from Sofia, Bulgaria to work on the art of Bulgarian gourmet cuisine around the best chefs of the SBM.
The guests who included Mr. Guillaume Rose, representing the President of the National Council, Mrs. Brigitte Boccone-Pagès, the Mayor of Beausoleil, Gérard Spinelli, and a delegation of around forty guests from Bulgaria had the pleasure of tasting a Christmas menu accompanied by the best wines and spirits of the Balkan country, all around performances by the most renowned Orthodox choir of the Slavic country and with the special participation of the popular singer Olla.
The sum of €32,000 from the evening following the major auction by Sotheby’s will largely be donated to the Croix Rouge Monegasque for a very specific project linked to sport for disadvantaged children of the Bulgarian Red Cross.
Apart from the renowned bloggers and influencers who enriched the celebration with their presence, the festive decoration of the room was provided by Art Balloons Monaco. The luxurious floral arrangements and table decorations were courtesy of The Flower One. The event was supported by technical partner Vektor X, and to bring together all the service providers and allow a professional organization of the evening, we thank Trust Events.
The celebration of the Republic of Bulgaria in Monte Carlo was attended by representatives of the Bulgarian business community and could not have been so successful without the significant support of the Geneva bank Banque Eric Sturdza and the caviar house Monaco “Amura”.
“After our success last year in honoring Serbia, the choice of Bulgaria could not have been better, continuing with another Orthodox, Slavic and Balkan country, while having its own culinary, cultural, and music specific to Bulgaria. We are extremely proud of our parishioners and generous guests, and thank them for this first auction which will bear fruit for our parish of St. Elena, the Red Cross and Bulgaria,” said the Founding-President of the Orthodox Church. of Monaco – Saint Elena’s Parish, Alexander Hagerty. “We have already targeted the country of honor for the 6th edition in January 2025 which will include the visit of a great economic delegation from the country in question, which will complete the exchanges and religious, diplomatic, cultural and touristic relations with the Principality”, continued Mr. Hagerty.
The Orthodox Church of Monaco – Saint Empress Elena’s Parish – is the first Orthodox church in the principality to be recognized by the Monegasque government in 2017. The church and the community belong to the ROCOR. The Head priest of the Church is Father Evgeny Nikitin, who celebrates all the sacraments, including Divine Liturgy, every Saturday at 09:00 at our place of worship at: 22, av de Grande-Bretagne, Monte-Carlo.
