00:00Ceremonies have been taking place in Bulgaria to mark the return of the country's former leader after more than a
00:06thousand years.
00:07The remains of Tsar Samuel were flown to Sofia after Greece and Bulgaria came to a deal to return him
00:15last week.
00:16The BBC's Tim Ullman has more details.
00:20When it comes to homecomings, this one was a long, long time in the making.
00:26Draped in his country's flag, what are believed to be the mortal remains of the man who once ruled the
00:32first Bulgarian empire, returned to Sofia.
00:36Thousands turned out to witness the solemn and historic moment, including the man who, in some ways, is his modern
00:43successor.
00:50After a thousand years, it's not merely the remains of one of our greatest rulers that returns to the homeland.
00:56We welcome his spirit, his uncompromising nature, his boundless faith in the fatherland and his legacy to protect Bulgaria.
01:06Tsar Samuel ruled Bulgaria in the late 10th and early 11th centuries.
01:10During that time, he led several military campaigns against the Byzantine Empire,
01:16but was said to have died of shock after a heavy defeat of his army in 1014.
01:22His remains were discovered in Greece in 1965, and after decades of negotiations, they were sent back to Bulgaria.
01:33Today marks a momentous occasion.
01:36May his spirit also help us defend the integrity and independence of Bulgaria.
01:41God bless Bulgaria.
01:45Tsar Samuel's return has caused some consternation in North Macedonia.
01:49It claims to be the true location of what was once the Bulgarian empire,
01:54and says Tsar Samuel was its ruler.
02:01But it is here at the Church of St Sophia where he has been laid to rest.
02:06Better late than never.
02:08Tim Ullman, BBC News.
