A formal ceremony to welcome the remains of Bulgarian ruler Tsar Samuel (997-1014) has begun in Sofia. The ruler has returned to his homeland more than 1,000 years after his death. Thousands of Bulgarians turned out to welcome him home, a TASS correspondent reported.

Greece handed over Tsar Samuel’s remains to Bulgaria in exchange for the return of 48 Greek historical relics taken from Greek monasteries to Sofia during World War I.

Video and photos: Igor Lenkin/TASS