London, 5 October 2017. The Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland and the Delegation for Inter-Religious Relations notes with much regret and  sadness the passing of His Excellency Dr Lachezar Matev on 28 September 2017 in Sofia, aged 66.

Ambassador Matev was a longstanding member and supporter of the Order. He was a prominent advocate of inter-faith initiatives and was invested by decree of the Prince and Grand Master to the rank and dignity of Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Francis I in 2006. In 2011 Dr Matev received the Silver Benemerenti Medal of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George in recognition of his contribution to the British-Bulgarian Inter-Faith Conference organised by the Constantinian Order. This conference was held in partnership with the Bulgarian Embassy in London, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation, the Three Faith Forum and received the official support of the British and Bulgarian prime ministers.

Lachezar Matev served the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with distinction in different positions since the early 1980s, including as Ambassador to the Court of St James’s from 2005 to 2009. In addition he worked in the Bulgarian diplomatic missions in Prague and Madrid and since 2013 was Bulgaria’s Ambassador at Large for Energy.

Ambassador Lachezar Matev was a strong advocate of inter-religious initiatives. I had the pleasure to work with him on numerous projects including the highly successful British-Bulgarian Inter-Faith Conference in 2007. He will be greatly missed and we extend our condolences to Mrs Bisserka Mateva and his family at this difficult time.” said  Delegate Anthony Bailey.

Ambassador Matev will be remembered at our forthcoming Mass for deceased knights and dames.

Rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Requiescat in pace. Почивай в мир.