Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2026 All Rights Reserved

Mel Gibson honors ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Bulgarian star Christo Jivkov after his death at 48

Hristo Zhivkov, 48, died April 1 2023.
Photo: Facebook/unionofactorsbg

Mel Gibson has expressed his condolences for Hristo Zhivkov, one of the stars of Gibson's 2004 hit film "The Passion of the Christ". 

Hristo Zhivkov, 48, died April 1 in Los Angeles after a long battle with cancer. 

“My dear friend Christo has lost his heroic battle with cancer. Right to the last moment he was filled with hope and his spirit was strong,” Gibson said. “I'll miss him but I know his suffering is over and he has eternal bliss. God keep him," the actor wrote in a statement. 

Jivkov starred as John the Apostle in Gibson’s epic "The Passion of the Christ," alongside Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ and Italian star Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. 

Gibson, who produced, directed and co-wrote the film, has kept in touch with the Bulgarian for 19 years and the two have not lost hope that there will be a sequel.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Vivia Niki and her latest unique art project

Bulgarian artist and architect Vivia Niki presented her new land art creation—a giant three-dimensional candle painted on a meadow in the forests of the Plana Mountain, which seems to flicker like a living flame only when viewed from the air at a..

published on 11/16/25 8:00 AM

Theaters Night takes place in 11 cities across Bulgaria

Theater enthusiasts in Bulgaria are already counting the hours until start of the 13th edition of Theaters Night. This exciting evening will turn the stages in 11 Bulgarian cities into a true celebration of the arts. The event’s ambassadors are..

published on 11/15/25 7:45 AM
Blagomira Lipari

Violinist Blagomira Lipari: Bulgaria is sincerity and warmth!

On November 6 in Los Angeles, the new foundation Bulgarian Classical Concerts - Los Angeles officially began its activities with a chamber concert, which featured works by Bulgarian classical and contemporary composers - Pancho..

published on 11/13/25 6:45 PM